ATHLETICS
EMMA RUCK MAKES 1
SOCCER HISTORY Scoring and winning are what senior Emma Ruck loves most about playing soccer. Both are familiar experiences for this stand-out athlete. Having played since the age of four, she has experienced dramatic victories as well as tough defeats without ever losing her love of the game. Her tenacious goal-scoring ability has certainly fueled her passion along the way. As co-captain of the Wellington varsity girls soccer team, with seniors Taylor Adams and Maddy McClinchie, Ruck is a natural leader who likes working together as a team and bonding with the other players on and off the field. “It’s great to have a close-knit group of friends on the team,” she said. “I like being with them in school and then at practice. We’ve become a cohesive unit, playing well together and also spending time with each other socially at sleepovers and team meals.” Ruck has been a four year starter and letter winner for the Jags as a forward and is the first player in Wellington soccer history to earn First Team All-State Honors. She notched 17 goals and 11 assists on the season and has 61 career goals and 30 assists. Her competitive drive and love of scoring have made Ruck 34
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invaluable to the Jags. Wellington Athletic Director Lindsey Smith P ‘26 coached the team through a season requiring resiliency and perseverance. “Despite losing several close games, the Jags became one of the toughest DIII teams in Central Ohio,” she said. “Recognized for being highly-organized, demonstrating a relentless work-ethic, and the leadership displayed by a handful of highly skilled players, by season’s end, the team earned a spot on the Central District Coaches Poll as the 6th ranked team in the area.” In addition, they touted two First Team All District Players in Emma Ruck and Jakaysha Williams and one Third Team All District Player in Maddy McClinchie. Seniors Ruck and McClinchie were joined by Taylor Adams in an opportunity to play in the Senior All Star Game. Smith herself was voted Coach of the Year. Ruck appreciated Smith’s calm but focused coaching style and attributes much of the team’s success to that approach. Wellington’s encouraging environment to always try your best and never give up have also been an important influence on Ruck both academically
and athletically. She particularly enjoys her English and writing classes because she likes expressing herself. Ruck is excited to play her final season of club soccer this spring but is already nostalgic about her experience as a player for the Wellington team. The feeling is mutual. “Emma’s commitment to the betterment of our soccer program will be valued for many years to come,” Smith said. PICTURED Above: Emma Ruck ‘17 with teammate Jakaysha Williams ‘18. Below: Emma Ruck with her First Team All-State plaque.
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