Gingrich a vocal, positive leader for the Cheboygan girls soccer team

On By Vaseline

CHEBOYGAN – Autumn Gingrich faced one of the most productive offenses in the league and didn’t give up.

Instead, the Cheboygan senior defenseman relished the challenge of taking on the undefeated McBain Northern Michigan Christian Academy Comets last week. But while the Chiefs narrowly missed out on handing the Comets their first loss, Gingrich, a scrappy leader on the Cheboygan back line, was everywhere in the game, breaking up attacks, winning 50-50 balls and helping the Chiefs to a 1 -1 draw. .

In fact, she did what a captain should do: set a good example.

“As captain, I really enjoy encouraging the girls before the match. That’s one of my favorite things,” Gingrich said. “I like being able to provide useful criticism. When I’m in the game I may not sound like the nicest person, but they know that we as captains are just trying to help them, and it’s been a very interesting role in the team.”

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Being a vocal leader has been crucial for Gingrich, who was named one of three team captains before her senior campaign began. Since then, Gingrich, along with fellow senior captain Bella Lail, have formed a solid defensive partnership that was crucial to the Chiefs starting the season with five shutout victories.

But to become solid defensively, Gingrich said it took hard work and wasn’t always fun.

“It was tough at first, but (coach Tom Markham) had us do these drills during practice that we all hated, but it turned out to be really helpful,” Gingrich said. “I think on defense, me and (Bella) Lail just know where we’re going to be, and we know how to communicate with each other even without talking.”

The path to becoming one of Cheboygan’s standouts on the court was a fascinating one for Gingrich, who joined the varsity squad late in her sophomore year. Last year, she played a role in a Cheboygan defense that was good enough to claim the Northern Michigan Soccer League crown.

When necessary, Gingrich will speak out. But she will also be there to encourage her teammates who may be struggling at some point, something captains do.

“For me, (being captain) means making the charms that we put on our bags before every match, and getting the girls pumped up before the match, and also giving them confidence after the match, especially if we lost or if they cried . , walked off the field sad, whatever. We captains try to keep their confidence high,” Gingrich said.

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Now that her high school career is almost over, Gingrich has learned a lot in the Cheboygan program. But at least she has embraced being that pesky defender that opponents don’t like to deal with.

“This is the only football experience I’ve had, I’ve enjoyed it, and I think Mr. Markham is a very hard-working coach,” Gingrich said. “Sometimes you get frustrated, but I think learning from your mistakes is something I take with me from football, especially here at Cheboygan.

“I learned to play rough and not take anything from anyone.”

Cheboygan travels to Houghton Lake on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportCDT