June 3, 2020 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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Page 8 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma ‘Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Elk City soccer coaches salute seniors Elk City High School boys soccer coach Josh Barnett talks about his senior players and ECHS girls coach Rhonda Merrifield recognized three of her seniors, including, from left, Savannah Kauk, Rossy Garcia and Grace Short during the soccer banquet for senior players Thursday at Lupe’s Mexican Restaurant in Elk City. Staff photos by Don Munsch. By Don Munsch, Editor that came to mind was just same mentality in life that “So, enjoy the beautiful since they were young. She and allows me to. I'd love Elk City High School boys the loyalty that they have they displayed on the pitch. life, because it is gift,” he pointed to what could have to be a part, but I just don’t soccer coach Josh Barnett to themselves, each other, “Outside of living through said, adding they should en- happened this season had the have the time to be travel- said he hopes his players sport [and] school,” Barnett a pandemic, you seniors live joy the people around them. pandemic not hit. ing on the bus and I have a embrace an approach from said. “All of them are super in the year of Kobe Bryant,” Barnett appreciated get- “This year was going to Kobe Bryant for the rest of humble people.” he said, referring to how ting to see the seniors grow be the greatest year we ever grandbaby on the way.” their lives. Players keep one another Bryant died earlier in 2020. in one year and go through had,” Merrifield said. “I felt Merrifield expects to be Barnett and ECHS girls in check and “they keep me “And that mentality that what happened this year. like were going to take Clin- coaching next year in Clin- soccer coach Rhonda Mer- in check a lot of times,” he Kobe Bryant brought in his “I’m so blessed to know ton down.” Clinton won the ton or Weatherford in recre- rifield spoke to parents and said. Players showed their you all and to have you in 4A title last year. own life, and I know I ref- ational soccer next year. She players at the senior soc- resilience in dealing with erenced Kobe a lot in prac- my life,” he said, noting they She said her team last year cer banquet, held Thursday the pandemic, especially at a tices, [but] I want you guys could always contact him if had a chance to go farther said she miss all of the play- night at Lupe’s Mexican young age. keep that Mamba mentality they needed to. and should have done so, ers “very, very much.” She Restaurant in Elk City. He also lauded how the as you go through life.” Merrifield said she en- explaining why she looked then individually recognized The banquet included a seniors formed chemistry in He described that Kobe joyed coaching the girls forward to this season. players on the team, includ- dinner and a program. Bar- their play on the pitch. mentality — a go-getter men- team, informing the attend- “But this is it,” she said. ing those who made All-Dis- nett led off the program and “I want you guys to look a tality — will get them far in ees that she won’t be back “[’m going to miss the girls trict and All-State. recited words he thinks de- little bit into your future and life. He also told them to as coach next season. She = the younger girls — but ... scribes the players on his right now — thinking of life,” appreciate life because so also commended her play- I told them I will come and “['m going to tell you this team, such as loyalty. he said. much is often out of their ers and talked about how help with some practices if senior class of girls are the “That’s the first thing He hopes they have the power to control. she coached some of them the new coach wants me to best,” Merrifield said. Music keeps the soul young at Baptist Village Agroup of Baptist Village of Elk City team members recently got out their instruments and brought a “traveling jam session” to resi- dents in their apartments. Even a fellow resi- dent joined the team members in going door to door, according to Baptist Village. Photo submitted by Baptist Village Communities. How are you or your kiddos during this time at home? We would love to see your creative ways of keeping everyone busy and entertained while practicing social distancing. Please send photos including names, ages and a description of the photo to [email protected] or via Facebook! -