To the offense goes most of the glory. To the defense goes? Well, to the defense usually goes a pat on the back from the coach and an occasional acknowledgment from the media and fans. Yet, as the sports cliché goes, “Defense wins championships.” And, strong defense wins me as a fan.

As I was driving to the Yreka Miners semi-final soccer match against Winters, I knew I was going to issue an Impact Player Award. There was no doubt that more than one Lady Miner deserved it. I just didn’t know which one to choose.

As the game unfolded, my choice kept changing, but during the last 15 minutes or so of the match a clear choice emerged: Christina Korcek.

Christina has been a force on defense all season, but her incredible effort and willingness to sacrifice her body to preserve Yreka’s one-point lead late in the match sealed the deal. After the final whistles, Christina could hardly walk and despite the win she was too weary to muster much of a smile (until picture time).

I can’t tell you how many full speed collisions she endured, or how many times I thought she wasn’t going to get back up. What I can tell you is that Christina typifies the Lady Miner soccer tradition of maximum effort and hard-nosed defense, especially during the playoffs.

I asked Yreka coach Shannon Loftus to tell me a bit about Christina.

“Christina, AKA ‘Steamroller,’ is the solid wall behind our defense. She’s the fastest, toughest defender in the league,” said Loftus.

Christina Korcek you are a credit to Yreka High School and the Lady Miners. You’re also an Impact Player Award winner.

The Impact Player Award is given on a monthly basis and goes to Siskiyou County high school athletes, male or female, that have had a significant impact on the success of their team. I select the players based on my own observations, often in consultation with the player’s coaches.

A total of four awards are given each month and are not school specific; they can go to a player at any school that Siskiyou Youth covers. Winners receive Impact T-shirts that were designed by Golden Grotto. The T-shirts and award are cosponsored by Siskiyou Youth and NorCal Classic Hits radio 102.3/101.7.

BTW: you’ll also find Christina on the YHS Students of the Month list for Mathematics.