Photo courtesy of Grace Gremillion

Soccer Player Garners National Recognition

Senior Grace Gremillion has been named to the 2009 National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Girls High School All-America Team. She was also named the Louisiana Soccer Player of the Year by the organization of 30,000-plus soccer coaches. Gremillion was recognized at the NSCAA’s All-America luncheon, held January 16 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“I felt very blessed to be named to such a great group of girls.” Grace Gremillion '10

Additionally, last year’s St. Joseph’s Academy soccer team is a recipient of the Adidas Girls Team Academic Award. The team was recognized for achieving a combined 3.69 grade point average.

Gremillion was among the 1,400 student-athletes, parents and coaches at the awards luncheon. She was accompanied by her parents, Steven and Nanette, and SJA soccer coach Craig Winchell.

“I am very honored and privileged,” Gremillion said. “I felt very blessed to be named to such a great group of girls. These girls came from all over the nation and will play soccer at the collegiate level and maybe even beyond. So, to be standing next to these girls made me realize I might be standing next to a girl who will be a professional or semi-professional player. I was amongst the best 17- and 18-year-old female high school soccer players in the nation, and I felt so honored to receive this amazing chance. I cannot explain how thankful I am to all my coaches, family and friends.”

“This is such a great honor for a wonderful young lady,” Winchell said. “Grace has developed into a great team leader on and off the field. I see this honor has a stepping stone for Grace for bigger and better things in the future and cannot wait to see her perform at the next level.”

Lauren Delgado, assistant soccer coach, shared Winchell’s praise of Gremillion’s leadership and athletic skills. “At the end of last year, St. Joseph’s varsity team lost seven starting seniors,” she said. “As a result, our varsity team is a young team, and Grace has been a great captain and leader. Grace not only works hard on the field, but she also works hard off the field and is the type of player any coach would want on their team. We are very proud of Grace for receiving this honor. There is no person that fits the qualifications more than Grace does.” 

Gremillion said being part of the SJA soccer program has taught her invaluable skills, including leadership, discipline and versatility. “As a senior, I have taken on the responsibility to lead and assist my team in drills, scrimmages and real games,” she said. “I have also been taught discipline because of the schedule and work needed to become the best team and player possible. Finally, I have learned versatility because I have had to adapt to certain situations in games and practices. All these qualities have taught me great skills and really benefitted me. I have had great experiences with my teammates on the SJA soccer team, and I cannot thank them enough for the support they have given me.”

While in Philadelphia, Gremillion and her family enjoyed several sightseeing opportunities, including visiting the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the shooting locales of two movies, Rocky and The National Treasure. She also enjoyed great shopping and restaurants, she said.


Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director