ROCKINGHAM — Valery Standridge, a junior on the Richmond Senior High School soccer team, has been named the Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week.
The Lady Raider soccer team has had a roller coaster start to its 2019 season due to wet weather, but in two games last week, Standridge netted her first two goals of the spring in pivotal moments for the Lady Raiders. A versatile two-way player, this marks her first career Athlete of the Week recognition.
Athletic Profile
Age: 17
Birthday: Nov. 25, 2001
Year: Junior
Spring Sport: Soccer
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Years on Varsity: 3 Years
Height & Weight: 5-2, 121 pounds
Experience: 13 Years
ON THE PITCH WITH VALERY STANDRIDGE
RSHS Academics: Standridge puts in a lot of quality work on the soccer field, but she also values her academics. Enrolled in two career clusters, the Advanced Placement and Health Science clusters, Standridge is taking seven classes during her second semester of junior year.
At the high school, Standridge is taking four classes, three of which are AP courses. She’s in AP Language Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology and Chemistry Honors. On top of that course load, she is also taking three classes at Richmond Community College: History 132, Math 172 and Spanish 112.
“I really like AP Environmental Science Mr. (Daniel) Diggs,” Standridge said. “We learn about the earth and I enjoy the outdoors and the environment. We do a lot of experiments and hands-on learning, which is cool.
“The competition between students in our grade is really tough,” she added of why she has such a heavy course load. “I want to get ahead and finish some classes for college and get stuff done. I try to make my parents proud and do my best.”
Currently, Standridge has a 4.55 weighted GPA and is ranked No. 11 in the graduating class of 2020. She’s an A Honor Roll student who recently found out she’ll serve as a junior marshal at this year’s graduation. Standridge is also involved in the National Beta Club and National Honor Society.
Future Plans: With still well over a year to go before she graduates, Standridge already has a general idea of what she’d like to do as a career.
“I want to be a nurse,” she explained. “I’d like to get my BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) and then become a nurse practitioner. My mom, Karina Garcia, works in the medical field at MCM Pediatrics in Rockingham. She’s been a big influence with that, and I think I’ll enjoy helping people.”
While she hasn’t decided where she’s going to school yet, Standridge said she’s considering Campbell, East Carolina and Wingate universities. One goal she hopes to achieve while at Richmond is graduate near the top of her class with NHS and Beta Club honors.
Athlete of the Week Stats: The Lady Raiders are off to a 5-2 start this spring, and went 1-1 in two matches last week. Richmond opened the week with a crucial Sandhills Athletic Conference win over Jack Britt High School in penalty kicks, before falling to non-conference opponent Union Pines High School.
Standridge is a two-way player for head coach Chris Larsen, starting the season at center midfielder before injuries in the back sent her to the defensive unit. Against Jack Britt, she netted the game’s equalizer with 10 minutes left in regulation, her first goal of the season, setting up a shootout win for Richmond.
In last Wednesday’s match at Union Pines, Richmond fell 6-2, but Standridge scored her second goal in as many games. Her goal game in the 33rd minute of the first half, when she sent a floater up and over the hands of Olivia Tart from just inside the 18-yard box.
Standridge (10) makes a play during last week’s game at Union Pines High School.
RAPID FIRE – FAST RESPONSES
1) How does the soccer team continue to build off its success from last year?
“We only lost a couple seniors this season and we play so good together,” Standridge said. “A lot of us have played together since we were young, so there are no problems on the field. We all know we push each other to do better, and I think that’s what will make us better.”
2) How would you describe this year’s team? What are some personal goals for yourself?
“We’re wild,” she smiled. “But we love each other so much, and that wildness brings us together as a group. Personally, I want to keep winning games. We want to show other teams that we’re more than what they think we are and that we can’t be underestimated.”
3) Who is a role model you look up to and why?
“My mom because she’s always there for me,” Standridge said. “She’s a big supporter of me, and has been through so much. She keeps pushing and is so strong.”
4) Name an interesting fact about yourself that many people may not know.
“I’m half El Salvadorian and half white,” she explained. “There are not many people around here who are from there or know about it. So it’s pretty different.”
Coach’s Corner: Larsen noted that Standridge’s versatility and positive attitude are two of her best qualities on the soccer field.
“She scored twice last week and both were good momentum builders at that point in the game,” Larsen said. “She tied it up and sent the Jack Britt game to overtime, and helped give us a fighting chance at Union Pines. Valery is really versatile playing as a junior in the center, and now she’s at center back.
“She’s a go-to player who I feel comfortable moving around the field, and wherever she plays she contributes,” he added. “Valery is a vocal leader and it shows. She’s always positive, never has a bad attitude, and always trying to make her and her teammates better.”
