It was an evening of farewells at last night’s LHHS soccer banquet, with coaches, players and parents showing some love for 8 graduating seniors and one departing foreign exchange student. Jonathan Esselin, known to all as Young Swede, is classified as a junior but will head back to his native Sweden when the spring semester ends. (Click here to view a slideshow from the banquet.)

After a successful year as District Champs and Regional Quarterfinalists, awards were in order so head coach Hanes Brindley announced the players named to the 9-5A All District Team. On the first team were: Mason Miller, Reagan Dunk, Murphy Short, Chase Davis, Joel Mendoza, Emmet Kumeh, Myles Osborn and Drew Donica; chosen for second team were: Isaac Garcia, Jonathan Esselin, Luke Stringer and Big Guy Abdoulaye Faly; earning Honorable Mention were Jack Blanton, Carter Bredehoeft and Ben Toler. Emmet Kumhe was the district’s Defensive Player of the Year and Myles Osborn was named District Goalkeeper of the Year. Hanes Brindley was named 9 5A Coach of the Year. Team Defensive MVP was Mason Miller, Team Offensive MVP was Joel Mendoza and Team MVP was Emmet Kumeh.

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When Robbie Daniel played Wildcat soccer in the 1990s, he earned the team’s 110% Award through hard work and determination. After he was killed by a drunk driver, the award was renamed in his honor and a memorial scholarship established. Returning to LH to present the award was two-time winner Preston Osborn, currently a junior at SMU. Preston proved he could keep a secret – judging by the dropped jaws of his parents when his brother, Myles, was called to the stage. Luckily for the Wildcats, third Osborn Wesley will be trying out for next year’s team as a freshman, and the legacy continues. Go Cats!

Author

  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.