By Elyse Pitkin
“I could not personally accept this award without my other coaches and the girls from the Poland Seminary High School Soccer team. Without them and their success we would have not been granted such a title,” said sport management major and educational studies minor, Skyler Huda ’24 as she revisits her recent victory. As part of Hiram’s sport management internship requirement, Huda has been interning with the Poland Seminary High School Girls’ Soccer team where she helps coach practices and games throughout the week and serves as their social media coordinator. After diligent practice and preparation, Huda’s team won the District Championship.
“When I was in high school, I got to experience winning districts as a player twice and those were some of my favorite moments, but to actually be on the coaching side and winning districts as a coach is a feeling I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Huda. “Our hard work and dedication we put towards this team really showed after we won the District Final game against Cardinal Mooney High School by a score of 1-0, which provided us with the award of becoming District Champs. The last time Poland Girls’ Soccer team won this title was in 2004, so winning this award was huge for us!”
Huda says they have been preparing for the game before the regular season even started. The team has dissected film, reviewed scouting reports, and practiced various formations on the field. “We have been practicing daily, going through different drills and having fun,” said Huda.
However, the journey is not over! The plan is for Huda’s team to compete in the Regional Finals and it will be the first time in school history that Poland High School has ever competed in this event.
Huda plans to continue coaching soccer at various levels and work alongside other sport organizations after graduation. She loves to run long distances, workout, hang out with friends, and eat food! Currently, she is working on achieving her U.S. Soccer Coaching License and training for the upcoming Walt Disney Marathon with her roommate in January.
