With her family looking on, Sidnie Yanez (seated center), signs a letter of intent on Friday, April 29 to play Soccer at Brevard College. (AMBLE SMOKER/One Feather)
By AMBLE SMOKER
ONE FEATHER STAFF
Cherokee senior Sidnie Yanez has committed to play soccer at Brevard College in Brevard. She made it official by signing her letter of intent during a ceremony on the Cherokee High School soccer field on Friday, April 29.
“I’m excited and nervous,” said Yanez. “I’m going to do the summer workout they sent me and I’m going to have to work for my position.”
Yanez is the first person from the Cherokee Central Schools to be recruited to play soccer at the collegiate level. She currently leads the Lady Braves in goals scored for this season with 13. She plans to major in early childhood development while attending Brevard College.
Sidnie Yanez (#8) is Cherokee’s leading goal scorer this year with 13. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather)
Sebastian Brun, Lady Braves head soccer coach, said that Yanez has been a valuable player for Cherokee. “She’s been our leading scorer here (2016 season) with 13 goals. She’s a dedicated and passionate individual that works hard. During her junior year, the team began falling apart, but she was the big force that helped keep it together. All of that speaks to her character and passion for the game.”
Lizzie Bernal, Yanez’s mother, related, “It’s one of the happiest days of my life. It’s something she has worked for her entire life and looking forward to. I’m not looking forward to her leaving home but at the same, I’m looking forward to her becoming an adult and finding her way in life. I think she’ll fit in real well.”
She added, “I would like to give a shout out to Coach Chris Mintz for giving us advice on how to get recruited and how to get noticed.”
Yanez concluded with, “I want to thank my mom and dad, my family, coaches, and especially Coach Mintz. He helped do a lot to get me noticed and what to do to get in touch with the colleges.”
