Photo by Army National Guard
The 3rd Annual MaxPreps Soccer Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard visited
Pinnacle (Phoenix) on April 2 to honor its championship girls soccer team.
After winning their second state title this year, the Pioneers finished ranked No. 16 nationally for the 2013-2014 season by MaxPreps. The Pioneers are one of only 10 schools being honored on the third annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard.
When MaxPreps and the Arizona Army National Guard arrived, we were met by the assistant principal Mike Tesensky. He walked us through the courtyard in-between all the campus buildings where a stage was located on the east end. The Arizona Army National Guard soon started handing out pens and stickers to students as well as t-shirts to the members of the girls soccer team. Representing the Arizona Army National Guard were First Sergeant Daniel Cardiel, Staff Sergeant Terrance Henry, Specialist Andy Marsh, Specialist Daven Dumas and Major Noel Chun.
The presentation began with Tesensky announcing MaxPrep's Norris Thomas to the stage. Every direction you looked was a sea of students as deep as the eye could see — a wonderful sight to see some 2,000 students there to support the girls soccer team. Thomas started to hype up the crowd by talking about the team's win over Perry to earn the state title. He then explained that the girls soccer team is one of only 10 teams to receive the Army National Guard national ranking trophy.
Major Noel Chun of the Arizona Army National Guard was then introduced to present the trophy. His speech was loud and strong as he gave the description of what teamwork represents and how some of the same traits that are common in a winning team are also common in the Army National Guard. He then went on to talk about the award and what it represents — commitment, hard work, loyalty to teammates — and handed the Minuteman trophy over to coach Suzanne Kirchner. Coach Kirchner enthusiastically jumped on stage and spoke of the amazing team that made the state championships possible.
She went onto to say, "Although we have so many seniors graduating this year I am also hopeful with the many returning we can once again be state champions. It truly took the entire team to win this title and I am so proud of all my girls."
After her presentation she handed the award to the team as they celebrated with so much joy. The 2,000 students all clapped and cheered and you could truly feel the pride every student had for the girls soccer team.
Congratulations to the Pinnacle Pioneers on their national ranking! Hope to see you next year on the Tour of Chamipions!