Jannel Johnson, also known as “Ginger” to all of us at WPU, had the honor of being selected to the U-13 All League team of the 2007 Super Y-League by the United Soccer Leagues (USL). Selections were based off the nominations of opposing coaches made throughout tournament play at last month’s Super Y-League North American Finals held in Tampa, Florida. “Ginger” was placed on the ballot of every coach who witnessed her performance. She is automatically eligible to attend the Super Y-League’s Olympic Development Program’s National Camp to be held in Cocoa Beach this coming January.

How is it possible that the shy little girl who had flatly refused to take part in her first exposure to the game, is now nationally acclaimed as one of the best players of her age group? Dragged kicking and screaming (almost), onto the carpet of the now defunct Korner Kick indoor soccer facility in Chapel Trail, “Ginger” was literally pushed into the soccer experience by parents, Arlene and Tony. Brother Jamel was already making a mark as an up-and-coming soccer star in the youth program. In years to come he would hasten his sister’s skills development with 1v1 match-ups in the family’s backyard, building her confidence to play in the world of competitive travel soccer with West Pines United. However, they first had to get her on the field. Her first year as a U-9 player was almost a disaster as “Ginger” displayed little interest in the game and, at odds with the coach, contemplated not returning the following year. Her former coach even considered dropping her from the squad but was quietly persuaded to drop the notion. In the end, cooler heads prevailed and, under the tutelage of the team’s new coach David Cunningham, “Ginger” started to blossom into the player everyone felt she could be.

Her development suffered during the 2005-06 season upon hearing that the family planned on relocating to the island of Jamaica and their new home being built on the picturesque North Coast. The thought of leaving her teammates and the only friends she had known visibly impacted on her performance on the field, but brother Jamel came to the rescue with a plan of his own. Determined to stay in the U.S., Jamel embarked on a rigorous training schedule that eventually led to him being selected onto the Regional and National U-17 player pool. With the distinct possibility of playing for the U.S. National team in his cards, and a subsequent move to the American Heritage High School, Jamel orchestrated a postponement of the planned move to Jamaica and a reprieve from a future of Beach Soccer for he and his sister. In 2007 he went on to win the high school State championship as a Junior and will be attending the University of North Carolina in Greensborough on a scholarship upon graduating. Jannel Johnson’s future in the game is as bright as it could be and, with her high academic performance in the classroom, she is certainly destined for greater things. The only sad thing here is that Arlene and Tony’s blissful retirement to paradise may be put on hold for years to come. If not, we can always look to “Ginger” and Jamel to find a way to keep them all here a while longer. Maybe “Ginger” playing for the U.S. National team will do the trick. How about both on National teams? Anyone interested in a home on Jamaica’s North Coast?