Monument Valley makes history with first 3A soccer teams

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

KAYENTA-For the first time in history, Monument Valley High School students participated in Division 3A soccer. The teams were coached by David Hawley and Taralyn Goh.

Monument Valley is the first Navajo reservation school to have both 3A teams. The teams were able to win at least one game this year and not forfeit any.

Many opposing coaches were impressed with how good and how fast the program developed.

Hawley credits other fall coaches for allowing some athletes to do two sports this season, which is allowable under Arizona Interscholastic Association rules.

"We had a few girls do soccer and cheerleading, and a few boys run cross country and play soccer afterwards," Hawley declared.

Students' participation in the non-profit American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) earlier this year, assisted the teams by strengthening the district programs this fall.

In fact, AYSO is donating a soccer ball to every student at the intermediate, middle and high school level that finished the season.

"Last year, there were no soccer programs in 3A North, but since Holbrook joined, there are now two," Hawley said.

Because Hopi and Tuba City clinics operate AYSO, everybody is hoping for more soccer teams in the area.

"Sure, having a another high school sport costs extra, but having more high school students disciplined, keeping grades up, and staying out of trouble is priceless and valuable to us all," Hawley concluded.

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