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Endrikat popular choice on star team By MICHELLE TRONTVET North Medford senior defender Chris Endrikat was one of three unanimous picks to the Southern Oregon Conference boys soccer all-star first team. "I'm glad the coaches think so highly of me," Endrikat said of the honor. "I think I grew quite a bit (as a player this year).'' Midfielders Francisco Miranda of Grants Pass and Stephen Ruegg of Roseburg were the only other unanimous choices. Grants Pass senior forward Geovanny Turnbull was selected as the conference player of the year, while Grants Pass coach Scott Gottula and Ashland coach Isa Tia Toutou shared coach-of-the-year honors. This is the second straight year Endrikat has been a first-teamer. "He's been on varsity since his freshman year," North Medford coach Rich Garcia said. "He's a great player. He's one of the best defensive players I've had." Endrikat wasn't called on only to defend. "This year he was pushed on offense," said Garcia. "I asked more of him. When he had possession of the ball, he was very dangerous. He was without a doubt the best player I've had at his position." Had the Black Tornado finished better as a team, said Garcia -- it was fourth in the SOC with a 4-2 record -- the conference coaches might have voted Endrikat player of the year. "He's always been a very good defensive player, and this year the coaches and players got to see that he has the ability to push the ball on offense as well," Garcia said. Garcia believes Endrikat has a good chance of playing college soccer for a Division I school next year. "I hope to go on to play college ball next year," Endrikat said. "I have had quite a few colleges send me stuff, and I've had a few call me." North Medford teammate Jacob Wallin, a midfielder, joined Endrikat on the first team. First-team South Medford players were midfielder Bryce Majors and defender Jon Micah Sumrall. Three Ashland players -- defender Zack Potocki, midfielder Eric Sharp and forward Benjamin Swatez -- were on the first team. Crater forward Cody Holm and Eagle Point defender Ryan Bray were also first-team choices. First Team DEFENDERS Player, School ..................................................... Yr . Ryan Bray, Eagle Point ..........................................Sr. Chris Endrikat, North Medford .................................Sr. Zack Potocki, Ashland............................................Jr. Jon Micah Sumrall, South Medford...........................Sr. MIDFIELDERS Ian Erickson, Grants Pass......................................Jr. Bryce Majors, South Medford .................................Jr. Francisco Miranda, Grants Pass.............................Sr. Stephen Ruegg, Roseburg......................................Sr. Eric Sharp, Ashland...............................................Jr. Jacob Wallin, North Medford...................................Sr. FORWARDS Cody Holm, Crater ................................................Jr. Benjamin Swatez, Ashland ....................................Sr. Geovanny Turnbull, Grants Pass ............................Sr. GOALKEEPER Matt Lamont, Grants Pass ....................................Fr. Second Team DEFENDERS Player, School ................................................... Yr. Josh Badcock, North Medford ...............................Sr. Brad Coen, Roseburg ............................................Jr. Tim Peterson, Grants Pass....................................Sr. Ryan Rackley, Crater............................................Jr. MIDFIELDERS Eric Harris, Ashland..................................................Sr. Pete Kashevarof, Crater.............................................Jr. James Kinard, Ashland..............................................Jr. Joel Sunderland, North Medford...................................Jr. Ethan Wallenberg, South Medford...............................Jr. FORWARDS Phil Card, Klamath Union............................................Sr. Ryan Holt, Roseburg ..................................................Jr. Damian Rasmussen, South Medford.............................Jr. GOALKEEPER Mark Goerke, South Medford.......................................Sr. Honorable mention Chris Barringer, North Medford, goalkeeper, Jr.; Corey Brooks, Eagle Point, goalkeeper, Sr.; Ben Buchta, South Medford, defender, Jr.; Alex Casey, Klamath Union, forward, So.; Brad Crawford, Eagle Point, forward, Jr.; Will Dolan, Ashland, defender, Jr.; Dan Ferris, North Medford, midfielder, Jr.; Daniel Gailis, Klamath Union, goalkeeper, Jr.; Luis Garcia, Klamath Union, defender, Fr.; Chris Gillingham, South Medford, midfielder, Sr.; Matt Wendt, Klamath Union, defender, Sr.; John Whitaker, North Medford, forward, Jr.; Jeff Zimmer, North Medford, forward, Sr. PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Geovanny Turnbull, Grants Pass. CO-COACH OF THE YEAR -- Scott Gottula, Grants Pass and Isa Tia Toutou, Ashland. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,