Document text
CLOUDY Temp: 40 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, December 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend November 19, 2002 Ryan Wallenberg, right, used his all-around skills to earn SOC boys soccer player of the year honors. Wallenberg not light on soccer skills South senior uses all-around talents to land top SOC honor By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune At first glance, a gangly frame and easygoing attitude may hide the truth about Ryan Wallenberg. But put him anywhere on a soccer field for 80 minutes, and the truth shall be revealed. A 6-foot-4, 160-pound senior, Wallenberg parlayed outstanding skill, uncommon athleticism, composed leadership, insightful intelligence and an uncanny sense of timing into a season that couldn’t be concealed this fall. After leading the South Medford boys to the Southern Oregon Conference championship, Wallenberg has been recognized by SOC coaches as the conference player of the year. He scored 10 goals for the Panthers, who finished 13-2-1 overall following a second-round, 2-1 loss to Southridge in the Class 4A state playoffs. Six of those scores came in SOC play, which South rolled through undefeated at 7-0. And four of the tallies were in matches the Panthers ended up winning by a single goal; another helped South earn a tie. He also created countless scoring opportunities for teammates in his first year as a forward after a playing past that includes stardom in the central midfield and at sweeper. "Ryan has always had a knack for producing when you need to," says Dave Potter, fresh off his fifth season as the Panthers’ head coach. "This year, when we needed a goal or that little extra to get a goal, he certainly played a big role in helping us get it. ... He has an ability to manufacture a score that you can’t teach." Wallenberg, a three-year letterman who was honorable mention all-SOC as a central midfielder last season, also has a knack for modesty. "Most of (being named MVP) was the fact that we got first place," Wallenberg says. "I don’t know if I have any major strengths. It’s just I’m decent in every aspect, I guess." Joining Wallenberg as unanimous selections to the all-SOC first team are: senior defensive central midfielder Daniel Potter and junior sweeper Spencer Hunter of South Medford; senior central midfielder Matt Sharp and senior stopper Alex Christlieb of Ashland; senior forward Ricardo Guerrero and senior central midfielder Tyler Casey of Klamath Union; and senior central midfielder Todd Sesock of Crater. Rounding out the first team are: South Medford senior marking fullback Jason Matthews; North Medford senior central midfielder Jorge Castro; junior goalkeeper Tomas Iboa and senior sweeper Scott Malone of Crater; and senior midfielder Sten Erikson and senior forward Josh Swanburg of Grants Pass. Crater’s Chris Gallegos, who guided the Comets to a 12-4 overall record and their first-ever postseason berth in his first season in charge, is the SOC’s coach of the year. Sharp was the only player other than Wallenberg to receive votes for conference MVP. A 4.0 student who is considering pre-med or physical therapy as a college major, Wallenberg is trying to find a program, preferably Division I, to play for at the next level. So far, Willamette, a Division-III school in Salem, has shown the most interest. Potter is confident that Wallenberg will be successful at the collegiate level. "He’s been known up and down the highway since he was 11 years old," says Potter, who also coached Ryan’s older brother, Ethan, a second-team all-SOC selection in the midfield as a senior in the fall of 1999. "He was always the player that the coaches talked about as the guy you can’t get past. ... He works relentlessly to win the ball and for the team." Although he is still relatively new to the position, Wallenberg says he would most like to continue playing forward, where he uses deceiving strength to hold possession and his height and anticipation to get on the end of crosses. "I probably scored at least 70 percent of my goals in the air," Wallenberg says. "Just because I’m taller than most people, I’m gonna be up there." The sting of South’s second-round loss in the playoffs lingers, but Wallenberg says he’ll fondly recall the Panthers’ camaraderie. "The good memories are just hanging out with the guys," says Wallenberg, who had played with teammates Daniel Potter, Jonathan Klenke, David Lane, Josh Bell, Carson Sheaffer and Ray Chirgwin since elementary school. "We were pretty close, all of us. ... But I would trade in anything to still be playing." First Team Player School Pos Yr Tyler Casey* Klamath MF Sr Jorge Castro North Med. MF Sr Alex Christlieb* Ashland D Sr Sten Erikson Grants Pass MF Sr Ricardo Guerrero* Klamath F Sr Spencer Hunter* South Med. D Jr Tomas Iboa Crater GK Jr Scott Malone Crater D Sr Jason Matthews South Med. D Sr Daniel Potter* South Med. MF Sr Todd Sesock* Crater MF Sr Matt Sharp* Ashland MF Sr Josh Swanburg Grants Pass F Sr Ryan Wallenberg* South Med. F Sr * — denotes unanimous selection Player of the year — Ryan Wallenberg, South Medford. Coach of the year — Chris Gallegos, Crater. Second Team Player School Pos Yr Fletcher Beaudoin Ashland MF Sr John Bowers Crater F Sr Jonathan Fay Klamath D Sr Colin Hackett Grants Pass MF So Erich Hangartner Crater D Jr Daniel Hathaway South Med. MF Sr Javin Inget Eagle Point D Sr David McLaughlin Roseburg D Sr Corey O’Neill South Med. F Jr Jose Ortega Klamath GK Jr Luis Paredes Alvardo Ashland D Sr Trevor Peterson Ashland MF Sr Richard Snapp North Med. D Jr Taylor Stone Roseburg F Jr Zach Tucker Klamath MF Sr Honorable Mention Ricky Ferguson, Ashland, F, Jr; Fabian Garcia-Flores, Ashland, F, So; Tony Laughlin, Ashland, GK, Jr; Ben March, Roseburg, MF, Sr; Scott Reid, North Medford, D, Fr; Mike Scales, Crater, MF, Jr; Casey Sjogren, Roseburg, MF, Jr. Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S