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Letter to the editor

PHU grad playing soccer with passion

By NANCY MORGAN, Times Sports Correspondent
Published December 2, 2007

Kelly Brinkman Palm Harbor University played her first season of college soccer with the same intensity as she has since she began playing the sport at age 4.

Brinkman, 18, earned a starting role at East Tennessee State's center midfielder position and was second on the team in goals (6) and assists (4) and third in shot percentage. She was named Atlantic Sun Conference offensive player of the week twice during the season and to the A-Sun All Conference second team at season's end.

"We recruited Kelly because we knew her ability at shots from distance, plus she knows the game so well," ETSU coach Heather Henson said. "Kelly is very coachable, especially in learning a new system, and we expected her to come right in and contribute. It's been exciting to see her transition from high school to college soccer.

"She had a good freshman year, but it's not her best year. Kelly will be looked to in the future to help create even more of the play and attacking opportunities for us."

Brinkman's choice of attending East Tennessee was an easy one after one of her club soccer coaches, Grandy Street, made the suggestion.

Once Brinkman visited the school, met the coach and team, she was convinced it was the right fit for her.

"I loved the campus, the team atmosphere and the bonding between the team and coaches," Brinkman said. "College is definitely different from high school and club soccer. In college, the intensity is much greater, the speed of the game is faster and practices are harder. You play for a spot on the team every practice, so you come out every day and work hard.

"When I came here, I knew I had a good chance to start, but I also had to fight for a spot. I didn't realize I would do as well as I did, and I'm grateful for the opportunity."

Soccer has been part of Brinkman's life since she was 4 and able to play on her dad's team with her older sister, Chelsea, who is now playing soccer for Bucknell. Stints with Countryside Lightning and the St. Pete Raiders in club soccer groomed Brinkman for a stellar youth soccer career that progressed to the Division I level.

More soccer: Junior midfielder David O'Brien(St. Petersburg) was a 16-game starter for the Coast Guard and was third on the team in goals with five and in assists with four. O'Brien was named to the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) first team all-conference.

- Redshirt freshman goalie Andrew McAdams of Palm Harbor (Berkeley Prep) collected 96 saves and seven shutouts in 19 games for William and Mary. McAdams was named to the Colonial Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team.

Cross country: Freshman Ali Crabb (Lakewood) was the fourth Florida runner to complete the 6K in the South Regional Championships and helped the Gators to a third-place finish. In the NCAA championships, Crabb was the fifth Gator to finish in a time of 21:42.2 to contribute to the team's 11th place standing, the best in school history.

Swimming: FSU graduate Ted Bradley (Northeast) posted a USA Masters National Swimming record time in this month's Bridge the Bay St. Pete meet at North Shore pool. Bradley, 24, swam the 200-meter short course in 2:08.69 for the 18-24 year age group.

- Freshman swimmers Claire and Christine Thompson (Admiral Farragut) finished first and second, respectively, in the 1,000-, 200- and 50-freestyle events for South Carolina to help the Gamecocks to their first team victory.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 22:22:18]