Monarch Soccer Plans to Score With Balboa
Former professional player to lead Coyotes in ‘12 campaign
by Ellie Oliver
F
rom the sweat pouring down their backs to the sun burning the freckles on their faces, the boys’ varsity soccer team is not new to diligence. Ever since new head coach, Marcelo Balboa, filled the cleats of the previous coach, Jason Cook, the boys have done nothing but work hard. Senior soccer manager Jimena Mohedas said, “Being around the team is a lot of fun. They definitely keep my afternoons lively.” When asked if she had seen the team improve since Balboa came to coach, Mohedas said, “Yes, the boys’ soccer team has improved alot since last year. They play as a team and not as individual players, and that’s a big point of Balboa’s coaching strategy. One deciding factor in who would be the
new coach was former Athletic Director Mark Sibley. “I did first offer the position to coach Balboa about a year ago and he was just starting a position with Trebol Soccer. Then I had to offer [the job] to another candidate and he also turned it down. Fortunately, later, Balboa was able to work his schedule and he felt confident that he could do this job. That’s what made me most certain that we had the right guy, because he didn’t want to take the job if he couldn’t do it 100%.” Sibley made a point to mention how cautious Monarch is when choosing a new soccer coach after the dealings with former coach Dave Stansbury. Extensive background and reference checks are protocol. “I think that had such an impact on our soccer team that I knew I needed someone huge to come in,” said Sibley.
Marcelo Balboa was just the man to step in. From playing on the Men’s USA Soccer Team in 1988 to leading the Rapids to victory. Balboa answered the ongoing question: why Monarch? Balboa saw coaching at Monarch as a great opportunity to get involved with his local high school where his son, Nick, plays on the freshman football team. When asked how his coaching skills would improve the team, Balboa answered, “You know what, it’s not my coaching skills it’s just a matter of the experience that I have [from] being fortunate enough to play at a higher level with the national team and the Rapids and bring a little bit of the right mentality back to the program.”
Teammate or Mate? I
f the name Ethan Marks is familiar to you it’s probably because the 3 year varsity starter has been a rushing powerhouse so far this season, averaging over 9.5 yards per carry. Will his girlfriend Elizabeth Rather and buddy Harrison Leachman have as much luck plowing through these questions as Marks does through defensive backs?
Favorite Restaurant?
Favorite Movie?
Favorite College Footbal Team?
Biggest Pet Peeve?
Boys’ varsity head soccer coach Marcelo Balboa looks on as his team takes on Fairview High School at Monarch on September 20, 2012. Monarch lost the game 1-0. (Photo credit: Ellie Oliver)
Career Timeline Marcelo Balboa’s road to Monarch
by Will Petersen
1985: Graduated High School in Cerritos, California. 1987: Played with U.S.A youth soccer team.
ETHAN MARKS ‘14/Football RB Rio Grande
Star Wars
ELIZABETH RATHER ‘14/Girlfriend Buffalo Wild Wings
0
HARRISON LEACHMAN ‘14/Football RB
Qdoba
0
Friday Night Lights
Star Wars
0
5
C.U.
C.U.
Terrible drivers
People with weird laughs
Rebelution
Lil Wayne
Favorite Muscial Group/Artist
5
1990: Played with U.S.A National team in World Cup
1996-2001: Played defender in M.L.S with Colorado Rapids
1994: Anchored U.S.A defense in 1994 World Cup.
2005: Voted into U.S.A Soccer Hall of Fame
By The Numbers A strictly statistical look at Monarch sports by David Andrews
Stanford
0
Slow drivers
16:23 2.5
0
0
Bassnectar
Time in minutes and seconds ran by Junior Parker Sitton at Liberty Bell Cross Country meet on September 14th.
10
77 Score shot by Junior Jackson Elliott at the Regional State Qualifying Tournament at Marianna Buttes Golf Club on September 21st.
0
315 Total
1995-1996: Played with Mexican League club Leon
2.5
Ethan’s answers prove deceptive for Elizabeth and Harrison to pin down but Elizabeth pulls out the victory with her superior knowledge of No. 7.
Pounds that RT/DT Josh Hurst is able to bench press.
1 Amount of games lost by the Boy’s Tennis team against a shorthanded Horizon H.S team in three matches.
15