ROCKINGHAM — Kaiyah Sriratanakoul, a senior on the Richmond Senior High School soccer team, has been named the Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week.
A three-year starter for the Lady Raiders, Sriratanakoul’s work and success on the field doesn’t always come in the form of goals. She’s been a staple in Richmond’s mid and backfield for the past several seasons, and has helped the Lady Raiders win at least 14 games in each season since her sophomore year.
During the two Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament games last week, Siraratanakoul’s defensive efforts helped her earn her first career recognition. The Lady Raiders are seeded as the No. 8 team in the West bracket of the 4A state playoffs.
Athletic Profile
Age: 18
Birthday: Feb. 2, 2001
Year: Senior
Spring Sport: Soccer
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Height & Weight: 5-0, 110 pounds
Years on Varsity: 3 Years
Experience: 15 Years
“KICKING IT” WITH KAIYAH SRIRATANAKOUL
RSHS Academics: The countdown to graduation is ticking, as Sriratanakoul and her 10 other senior teammates prepare to walk the stage next month. In what she called her “toughest semester yet,” Sriratanakoul is looking to finish her high school career on a high note.
She’s already completed the Health Science cluster as a junior and will wrap up her Advanced Placement cluster at semester’s end. Currently, Sriratanakoul is taking two courses at Richmond Community College (English 112 and Psychology 150), as well as two AP and two Honors classes at Richmond.
The other classes she’s enrolled in are AP Chemistry with Mr. Matthew Learn, AP Environmental Science and Anatomy and Physiology Honors with Mr. Daniel Diggs and English IV Honors with Ms. Kate O’Neil.
“Anatomy is my favorite class because I want to get into health-related work,” Sriratanakoul explained. “Mr. Diggs is a really good teacher. He’s laid back and teaches really well, and he makes sure we understand and will help us. Plus he throws in randoms facts and fun tidbits.
“RichmondCC classes give you a really good opportunity to experience your first part of being independent,” she added. “You don’t get the help that you’ve always gotten, and it prepares me for college.”
Ranked 15th in the class of 2019, Sriratanakoul was a junior marshal last spring. She has a 4.6 GPA and is a member of the National Beta Club and senior Senate. Sriratanakoul also serves as the National Honor Society’s public information officer.
Future Plans: In August, Sriratanakoul will head off to college at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She says she hopes to major in exercise science, although she’s considering physical therapy or becoming a physician’s assistant.
“I like anything in the medical field,” the soon-to-be freshman said. “I like helping people and feel like if I can make a small difference in people’s lives, it can make a bigger impact in the long run. I like to think of myself as a helpful person.
“When I went on the tour, the campus was really pretty,” she added. “It was so welcoming and really nice. UNCW has a good community feeling and good programs. I’m excited to go, and a little nervous, too.”
Athlete of the Week Stats: The Lady Raiders have won six of their last seven games as they prepare for the second round of the playoffs. In three games last week, Sriratankoul’s play in the back helped Richmond earn back-to-back wins against Jack Britt High School.
In the SAC championship game against Pinecrest High School, Larsen called his team’s performance “the best” it has played all season, including the defense.
Sriratanakoul and the Richmond backfield locked down Jack Britt, beating them 2-1 and 5-2 in the regular-season finale and semifinal round of the SAC tournament.
“I think it’s been about working together in the back, which helps us connect moving forward,” Sriratanakoul said. “We don’t want all the pressure on our goalie, and the ball has to go through us first.
“It’s really important that we do our job,” she continued. “There aren’t a lot of flashy plays, but we all work together and that’s what good teams do. I think we communicate really well and know where to be all the time.”
Kaiyah Sriratanakoul (2) clears a ball against Purnell Swett High School earlier this season.
RAPID FIRE – FAST RESPONSES
1) What are your and the team’s expectations for Thursday’s playoff game against No. 9 East Forsyth?
“We really have to show up and show out,” Sriratanakoul said. “They’re going to be just as good as us, and we can’t take it lightly. If we play like we know how, I think It’s going to be a really good game.”
2) What’s your favorite memory during your Lady Raider soccer career?
“Oh, there are so many,” she smiled. “But it has to be this year, which has been really cool. We’re making it to the second round and have a chance to make school history and get to the third.
“We have all have played together since middle school and travel soccer, and this season is something to really be proud of,” she added. “We are more of a family than friends.”
3) Name an interesting fact that many people may not know about you.
“I really like the TV show ‘Criminal Minds’,” Sriratanakoul closed. “I’m obsessed with Spencer Reid, the doctor. If I had to choose a backup job, going to the FBI would be my backup plan. I’ve binged watched most of the seasons.”
Coach’s Corner: Lady Raider head coach Chris Larsen has been with Sriratanakoul throughout her four years in the Richmond program, but is wrapping up his first year as her head coach. It’s her willingness to compete that he admires most.
“Kaiyah’s name won’t appear on stat line every game, but she has been a solid, consistent force in the back for us,” Larsen said. “She shuts down the left side of the defense, and she doesn’t let her size dictate her toughness.
“She’s willing to go against anyone,” he added. “Kaiyah has really stepped up the last couple of games and is really pulling her weight in the back.”
No. 8 Richmond will play in the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs at home on Thursday against No. 9 East Forsyth High School.
