National winner to be named at US Youth Soccer Awards Gala
Twitter: @USYouthSoccer, live announcement of national winner
FRISCO, Texas (Dec. 19, 2016) — US Youth Soccer is pleased to announce the regional winners of the 2016 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year award. It honors a role model who creates a fun learning experience as a mentor, advocate, coach or administrator.
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities.
The national TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year will be announced at the US Youth Soccer Awards Gala on Friday, Jan. 13, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Los Angeles, held in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention.
Brief bios of the regional winners are below based on the submitted nomination forms:
Region I – Patrick D. Casey – Nokesville, Va.
Patrick D. Casey is a positive role model for many TOPSoccer athletes. Forming a relationship with each athlete is a high priority for him. Casey has been a TOPSoccer volunteer for five years, and has been described as “patient, caring and enthusiastic” by his peers. Casey is a nationally certified TOPSoccer coach, a summer camp TOPSoccer coach and he promotes TOPSoccer at various community events. Moreover, Casey has a 4.1 GPA and he is in the top 10 percent of his class.
Region II – Larissa Marielle Seibt – Chicago, Ill.
A TOPSoccer Buddy for the past six years, Larissa Marielle Seibt was one of the first, original buddies for Chicago TOPSoccer. She is a four-year varsity starter and team captain of her high school soccer and swim teams. Seibt has an undeniable interest in helping others succeed and improve their knowledge and skillset in the game of soccer. Seibt is also a member of the National Honor Society at her high school.
Region III – LeAnne Davison – Greenville, S.C.
LeAnne Davison was a TOPSoccer Buddy for three years, and she was selected as one of 16 rising high school seniors to participate in Furman University’s Emerging Public Leaders program. Currently a high school senior, LeAnne is ranked No. 1 in her class and is recognized as a Clemson Scholar, a Wofford Scholar and a Furman Scholar. LeAnne is also a grade eight USSF referee and she was invited to attend the 2016 US Youth Soccer ODP camps as a referee.
Region IV – Petra Azar – Santa Ana, Calif.
With a smile on her face and always offering a helping hand, Petra Azar has a great relationship with her players and coaches as a TOPSoccer Buddy. Azar has a passion for the sport of soccer, and she is known to be early to every practice and game. She is also always offering words of encouragement to her players. Off the field, Azar is a volunteer in the city of Anaheim and a member of the National Honor Society in her high school.
The US Youth Soccer Workshop will take place in Los Angeles from Jan. 11-15, 2017. The annual Workshop will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention. The week is designed to further the education of coaches, administrators, referees and enthusiasts involved in the game. For more information please visit USYouthSoccer.org/Workshop/NSCAA.