Wendell Setting Sights on Title

By Chris Gosek

Jumping out to a fantastic start in the early part of their spring 2012 schedule, the Wendell Middle boys’ soccer team is coming off a solid second place finish last year and eyeing the conferences top spot this season.

Starting their year off in grand fashion, the Wolves emphatically defeated East Millbrook by a 7-1 count. Their second contest was a scrimmage, which saw them whitewash a strong Leesville Road squad 2-0, before they dropped a tough decision to league powerhouse West Millbrook (5-3). Opening up conference play last week, Wendell cruised to a 4-1 victory over rival Zebulon. They will take their 3-1 record into another conference game later this week, when they will do battle with Wake Forest-Rolesville.

Wendell Coach Michael Howes is excited about how his team has come together and played thus far in 2012. “There is a lot of good team chemistry here,” he said. “Most of our team is returning players and they all can run, they all can handle the ball well, and they can all play.” He concluded, “We finished second last year and even though we lost what was probably our top scorer we have a very good team this year.”

Team captains Ryan Mays and Manny Loredo Vanegas lead the Wolves on the field. Other returning eighth graders include, Jorge Aguilar Garcia, Josh Gibbs, Alfonso Hernandez, Jeff Odon, Johnny Odette, Andy Pineda, Justin Poole, Eric Loredo Vanegas, Damion Raper, Jahir Tudon, and Cameron Waller. New faces to this springs’ squad are seventh graders, Bruce Campos, Kawai DeMello, Garrett Johnson, and Stephen Mounts.