Boys Soccer
Worthington Christian’s Elder named captain of Super 12 team
Worthington Christian's Brett Elder (left) had 18 goals in seven postseason games in leading the Warriors to the Division III state title. Buy This Photo
Everything came together in the postseason for Brett Elder of the Worthington Christian High School boys soccer team.
After not living up to his own expectations during the regular season, the senior forward rarely was stopped during the postseason, leading the Warriors to their seventh consecutive Division III state tournament and their third state title in six seasons. Of the 36 goals and 11 assists Elder had this season, 18 goals and four assists came during Worthington Christian’s seven postseason games, including a goal in a 2-0 win over Gates Mills Hawken in the state final Nov. 11 at Crew Stadium.
Worthington Christian, which also won state titles in 2009 and 2006, finished 18-4-1.
Elder, who was named district Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, adds the honor of ThisWeek Super 12 captain to his accomplishments.
“At the beginning of the season, I didn’t think I was playing as well as I should have been playing,” Elder said. “Things just started to fall into place. Early in the season, I couldn’t score on a lot of easy chances for some reason.”
As a sophomore, Elder scored 34 goals and made second-team all-state as Worthington Christian won the state title. Last season, he scored 33 goals and made first-team all-state and Super 12 as the Warriors were state runners-up.
Elder scored two goals to lead a 5-1 win over Delaware Christian in a district final Oct. 29. His first goal during a 4-3 overtime win over Berlin Hiland in a regional semifinal Nov. 2 was the 100th of his career.
He scored four first-half goals in a 6-0 win over Coshocton in a regional final Nov. 5.
Elder finished with 108 career goals.
“I know my stats look inflated, but basically everything I do I owe to my team,” Elder said.
According to coach Dan Roads, Elder’s leadership skills should help him fit in immediately when he begins his college career next season at Wright State.
“He’s got all of the great attributes you need in terms of his goals and assists, and the more important thing for him is to be on a successful team,” Roads said.
•OTHER FIRST-TEAM SELECTIONS — A.G. Basiakos (Hilliard Bradley, Sr., D), Sam DeRoy (Olentangy Liberty, Jr., MF), Cheick Diawara (Dublin Scioto, Sr., MF), Zak Leedom (Dublin Coffman, Sr., F), Zach Mason (Big Walnut, Sr., D), Ryan McLaughlin (Westerville South, Sr., GK), Zach Monhollen (Pickerington North, Sr., F), Rhodes Moore (Upper Arlington, Sr., MF), Charlie Reymann (Worthington Kilbourne, Jr., F), A.J. Tresoline (DeSales, Sr., GK), David Witkoff (Gahanna, Sr., F/MF).
•HONORABLE MENTION — Gunnar Bloecher (Olentangy Orange, Sr., F), Alex Bumpus (Hilliard Davidson, Jr., MF), Brendin Crew (Westerville North, Sr., MF), Alex Crognale (Gahanna, Jr., F/MF), Sam Darling (Hilliard Bradley, Sr., F), Joe Davison (Dublin Jerome, Sr., D), Matt DiCesare (DeSales, Sr., M), Alec Everts (Reynoldsburg, Jr., F), Ben Farynowski (Grandview, Jr., GK), Alex Holtom (Westerville Central, Sr., MF), Nate Kohl (Hilliard Darby, So., F), Jon Martin (Olentangy, Sr., D), Alex Ranali (Olentangy Liberty, Sr., MF), Brent Wahle (Hartley, Sr., MF), Tyler Washington (New Albany, Sr., MF).
•PAST CAPTAINS — Gahanna’s Wil Trapp (2009 and 2010) and Michael Lavric (2006); Worthington Kilbourne’s Matt Wiet (2008), Jeff Rusch (2004), Chris Wolever (2001), Danny O’Rourke (2000) and Matt Salmon (1997); Hilliard Davidson’s Colby Catlett (2007); Big Walnut’s Braden Fleak (2005); Westerville North’s Jeff Lenix (2003); Reynoldsburg’s Tony Labudovski (2002); Thomas Worthington’s Troy Perkins (1999) and Andy Rutledge (1998).
