BY NANCY COWARD

Konk Life Special Writer

 

AYSO recognizes volunteer, division champs at closing ceremonies

 

Coward honors Kenna, Robino

 

American Youth Soccer Organization recognized volunteers and crowned six division champions as the AYSO wrapped up the fall season with closing ceremonies on Dec. 7.

 

Eight-year-old Faith Gorton got the festivities started with a resounding rendition of the National Anthem before a 1,000-plus crowd of players, league volunteers and families. Surrounded by team banners and a balloon arch, Regional Commissioner Tom Coward gave special thanks to the more than 100 volunteers and 50 league sponsors.

 

“I think most of you will agree that we had a tremendous season, and we couldn’t have done it without a coach and a sponsor for every team,” said Coward. “As a 100 per cent volunteer organization, AYSO owes it all to the coaches, referees, and board members who put this all together. I cannot thank you enough.”

 

Coward presented the league’s prestigious Robin Campbell Volunteer of the Year Award to Jasmine Kenna, who is the AYSO registrar and also coordinated league operations. The John Harris Youth Volunteer of the Year Award was given to referee Mark Robino.

 

The closing ceremonies followed AYSO’s Super Saturday of division playoff championship games that culminated in a medal ceremony for the top three teams in Under-10 and older divisions. “We had some amazing matches today, including our U-10 Girls that went to penalty kicks,” said Coward. “These teams all had outstanding seasons and played their hearts out until the final whistle blew.”

 

As the fall recreation season comes to an end, AYSO travel teams are now gearing up for the Hurricane Cup that will be held at Founder’s Park in Islamorada on Dec. 14-15 and the Conch Cup in Marathon Jan. 4-5. These regional tournaments are a warmup for the AYSO State Games in Wellington, Jan. 17-20, where Key West will try to defend its U-10 Boys, U-14 Girls and U-14 Boys state titles. Several teams also plan to compete at the AYSO National Games in Los Angeles June 29-July 6.

 

Key West AYSO League Final Standings

U10 Boys Division

1 Check Electric

2 Truman Company

3 Dunn Construction

U10 Girls Division

1Rumor Lounge

2 Bascom Grooms

3 Coast Guard CPOA

 

U12 Boys Division

1 Dominos Pizza

2 KW Chevron

3 Keys Eye Care

U12 Girls Division

1Prudential Knight

2Traveling Doc House Calls

3Bascom Grooms

U14 Boys Division

1Clean Sweep

2Saltwater Angler

3 Danger Charters

U14 Girls Division

1Richard Klitenick, PA

2 Prudential Knight Gardner

3 Michaels

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