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55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, March 22, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 9, 2004 South Medford's Spencer Hunter was the SOC boys soccer player of the year in 2003. Linfield lures South Medford standout Hunter By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Spencer Hunter left a winning soccer program when he graduated from South Medford High School last week. But the first-team all-state sweeper and Southern Oregon Conference player of the year won’t have to wait long to join another one. In the fall, Hunter will hook up with Linfield College, which boasts one of the top NCAA Division III soccer programs in the nation. "I really liked the coach, the program and the school when I went up and visited," said Hunter, who was also being recruited by St. Mary’s College in Moraga, Calif., Seattle Pacific, George Fox, Concordia and the University of Redlands. "I was impressed with not only their academic programs but also the campus and the professors. "It’s going to be a good fit." Advertisement Hunter contributed 10 goals and 10 assists while anchoring South Medford’s defense last season when the Panthers posted an 18-2-1 record and won the Class 4A state championship. His free- kick goal lifted South Medford to a 1-0 victory over Redmond in the state title game. "Spencer has a lot of experience at the high school and state ODP (Olympic Development Program) level, and I think he can provide an immediate impact for us," Linfield coach Eric Watson said. The Wildcats finished 16-3-1 last season and advanced to the second round of the Division III playoffs. But they’re losing 10 starters, and Watson believes the 6-foot-4 Hunter can fill one of the voids on the defensive end of the field. "I certainly anticipate him competing for one of those vacant positions," Watson said. At graduation ceremonies last Saturday, Hunter was named male scholar-athlete of the year at South Medford. Along with his soccer exploits, Hunter played a significant role on the Panthers’ basketball team that went 27-2 and took fourth at the state tournament, he played the No. 3 spot on the school’s golf team and he earned a 3.81 grade point average in the classroom. "That was a surprise," Hunter said of his scholar-athlete honor. "I didn’t even know I was nominated." Hunter wasn’t able to play golf during his sophomore and junior years because of soccer commitments, but he was glad he participated in all three sports this year. "I think it’s good to be involved in other sports," he said. "You keep in shape, you meet different kids and your competitive drive gets stronger. Plus, when you get back to your main sport you’re more eager to be out there. "When basketball season ended and the golf season was winding down, I realized how much I love soccer. It’s been a part of my life for such a long time." Hunter first started to kick a ball around at the age of 3 when his father was coaching his older brother Colin’s team, then started in earnest when he was 5. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Advertisement s