Mariah "Big Red" Lee
Girls ’95 ECNL
(August 23, 2010) - ’95 ECNL Mariah Lee was named to the WA State, Region IV, and selected to the National ODP ’96 Player Pool. Lee also excels off the pitch, carrying a 4.0 G.P.A., with her favorite subject in school being English. In her free time, when not playing soccer, she enjoys reading, playing basketball, running track, hanging out with her friends, and also plays the violin. Come take a closer look at this WPFC stellar student-athlete selected for the August female Player Spotlight.
Club Experience
2008 - WPFC ECNL ’95
2006 - 2007 Synergy FC ’95 Morse
2005 - 2006 Covington Strikers
Soccer Resume
2010 Kentwood High School Player
2010 National ODP ’96 Player Pool
2010 Regional IV ODP ’96 Player Pool
2010 Washington State ODP ’96 Player Pool
2010 Crossfire Challenge Champion
2010 Rainier Challenge Champion
2009 Crossfire Challenge Champion
2009 Washington State ODP ’96 Player Pool
2009 Regional ODP ’96 camp invitee
2009 Nike Friendship Cup Champion
2009 Rainier Challenge Champion
2009 Vegas Cup Finalist
2008 Boise Cup Finalist
2008 Starfire Labor Day Cup Finalist
2008 Starfire Memorial Day Cup Champion
2007 Washington Youth Soccer District Three 2nd place
2007 Skagit Labor Day Kick Champion
2007 Starfire Memorial Day Cup Champion
2006 Narrows Cup Champion
2006 Rimland Pacific Champion
2006 Yakima Mid-Summer Classic Champion
2006 Chinook Cup Champion
2006 Starfire Spring Classic Champion
2005 Washington Youth Soccer District Three 2nd place
2005 Washington Youth Soccer Presidents Cup State Champion
Mariah and the Lee family joined the ’95 ECNL squad during the 2008-2009/U13 season. Like many athletes coming from an outstanding family, Mariah proved to be well grounded, a top notch student, and consistently demonstrated the sky was the limit when it came to her future accomplishments in both life and on the pitch. Although it’s still early in her athletic career, Mariah has already achieved a number of noteworthy accomplishments. At the recent completion of her middle school career, Mariah swept the table in three out of four events she competed in at districts:
- 1st in the 100m dash with at personal best of 12.4 sec (#1 in WA, #2 in the U.S. in the U.S. for 8th grade girls.),
- 1st in the 200m dash with a time of 26.01 sec (#1 in WA and #3 in the U.S. for 8th grade girls.),
- 1st in the long jump with a school record 15’7" (#2 in WA and #18 in in the U.S. for 8th grade girls.),
- 1st in the long jump with a Mattson Middle School record of 15’9" (ranked #2 in WA and #18 in the U.S. for 8th grade girls.),
- 3rd in the 75m high hurdles with a personal best of 12.9.
Not only was Mariah recently selected to the National Pool while competing with the WA ’96 ODP team at Regional camp back in July, she also flew out at 5:00am on the last day of camp/Idaho to compete in the qualifying round of the USA Track and Field Jr Olympic National Championships. True to form, Mariah qualified for Nationals in her age bracket 13/14 Midget Girls in 3 of her events by finishing in the top 3:
2nd in the 100m with a personal best of 12.4 seconds, 2nd in the 200m with a personal best of 25.5 seconds, and 1st in the 4x100m relay (Anchor leg)
Mariah is already considered an outstanding example of a true student/athlete with aspirations to attend Stanford University when she completes her club play for WA Premier. She consistently posts a near perfect GPA and always sets a high academic standard for herself. Ask Mariah what comes in a close second to her grades in importance and she’ll immediately tell you her desire to compete and win with her teammates on the pitch. She’s one of the cornerstones for a very tight knit group of "Norris Girls" (Chuck Norris is their adopted team mascot) and they often feed off of Mariah’s insatiable desire to compete and win.
She’s been a true catalyst for her team and played a key role in achieving a second straight year of having no summer tournament game losses when playing on age. Many coaches will tell you all great teams have a core group of special individuals that serve as the cornerstone for driving their teammates to special things. Mariah undoubtedly fits that role, even threatening at times to break the mold! Everyone who has the fortune of spending time with her agrees she is a special young lady who has already demonstrated the capacity to be a great ambassador for her team, the club, and her sport. Based on her limitless potential, she is poised to achieve great things in life and on the soccer field. Her teammates, coaches and WPFC family are very proud of her accomplishments. But even more so, we’re all proud of the outstanding human being she has been and continues to become. Congratulations Mariah and keep up the great work!
’95 ENCL Manager, Mike Carrington
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley
Hey Mariah this is Everett, washingtonpremierfc.com’s webmaster. I am happy to announce that you have been selected as the female "Player on the Rize" for the month of August.
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| Mariah in total control on the pitch during Rainier Challenge Cup this summer |
| Mochamadness Photography |
How old are you?
14.
When did you start playing Soccer?
2005.
Highest level played prior to coming to Premier?
I used to play with Synergy FC ’95 Morse.
What year did you come to Premier?
2008. This will be my 3rd year with Premier. I came to Premier to improve my skills and be challenged.
What have you found to be the difference between Synergy and Premier?
The biggest difference is the level of competition and coaching.
What positions on the pitch do you play? What is your favorite?
When I first started playing I was on the defensive side of the ball playing both sweeper and stopper. In 2007 I was moved to striker and center. My favorite position to
play is striker because that’s where I feel I can help my team the most by scoring and putting pressure on the opponents defense.
How did your team do last season?
Last year the team won 4 tournaments, went undefeated in the Fall PDL league, and placed third in the Spring PDL league. We lost in penalty kicks in the quarter final round of State Cup against Columbia Timbers. My team just didn’t bring our A game.
Who do you consider your team’s arch rival?
I’d say Crossfire. They seem to bring out the best in us and we always play well against them because we know they’re a good team.
So I hear you are making quite the impression on the pitch outside of Premier too?
I guess... I made the state, regional ODP teams and was recently named to the National ODP pool. I have to make that team if I want to qualify to play for the Women’s U-16 National team.
Did you play striker while training with the National ODP staff?
No, they actually had me playing outside back.
Were you a little disappointed?
I took it as a challenge. Back in the day I played a little defense so I just focused on what I could do well and used that to my benefit. At that level outside backs really get into the attack so I could use my speed and go at players.
What motivates you to continue improving on and off the pitch?
I know that I have to keep improving, because when I’m not practicing I know someone else is - getting better.
Did you get to meet any of your upcoming ENCL opponents?
Yes, I did. That was one of the best parts of training with the National ODP team.
What motivates you to continue improving on and off the pitch?
I know that I have to keep improving because when I’m not practicing I know someone else is - getting better.
In the fall you will be a freshman; what high school will you be attending?
I’m going to attend Kentwood High in Covington, WA.
Are you excited about the upcoming school year?
Yes, both academically and athletically.
Your high school years are just beginning; however, have you given any thought to which college/university may be a good fit for you?
My number one choice is Stanford. I want to become a doctor and they are one of the best academic universities on the west coast. Not to mention they have a great soccer program.
What got you interested in Stanford?
I watched their soccer team last season during the 2009 NCAA women’s soccer championship.
If I recall, didn’t they lose to North Carolina in the finals?
Yes they did but the score was only 1- nil.
I also hear that Stanford is a great school for your other love, Track & Field?
Yes it is, last year the women at Stanford placed 2nd at the Pac-10 Track and Field Championships and the men came in 3rd.
What, events do you currently run?
100m, 200m, and Long Jump.
What are your personal best in each of those events?
100m - 12.4, 200m - 25.5, and Long Jump - 16’3”
Impressive. Mariah, you seem to have a full schedule on your plate... do you have any spare time?
Yes I do, I like spending my down time with friends and other activities outside of sports. I especially like to read, listen to music, and play my violin.
What is your favorite genre of reading?
I like to read fictional books, two of my favorite authors are Orson Scott Card and Nicholas Sparks.
Name the one song on your ipod/mp3 that you just can’t get enough of?
"There goes my baby" by Usher Raymond.
Who are your favorite musical artists?
I’m musically diverse and listen to all types of music, but I’d have to say Ludacris, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys.
What are your goals as an individual and for your team?
Individually, I want to improve my technical and finishing skills (dribbling and shooting with both feet, headers, volleys). As a team our goal is to win State.
Last question... When someone watches you play, what impression would you like to leave them?
That I always bring my A-game regardless of the level of competition.
Mariah this concludes our interview this evening. Thank you for taking time out of your evening for this interview. In closing I’d like to say that I throughly enjoyed interviewing you. Good luck in your upcoming season.
Thank you.
Washington Premier F.C. players, parents, and fans, a club as large as ours makes it nearly impossible to get to know each and every player. To help bridge this gap and learn more about our players, each month we will highlight at least one WPFC "Player on the Rize". Please feel free to nominate a "Player on the Rize" and be sure to include why you think he or she should be considered.
