288 athletics Row 1: T. Rojas, P. McCormick, R. Bourdeau, C. Wilson, A. Flesher, J. Thurmond, C. Marshall, O. Guzman, D. Nowlin, G. Alexander, J. Warmath. Row 2: G. Harris, B. Colvin, J. Meadows, J. Ireland, J. Eddy, M. Rotich, J. Skinner, C. Truax, S. Hedeman, Z. Williamson, C. Galloway, B. Bailey, A. Brown, M. Osorio, B. Wallace, J. Cook, J. DeRamus. When it came to height, weight and stature, he was not at the top of the list, weighing in at 145 pounds and measuring at 5’8’’, but when it came to aggression, dedication and persistence, he soared to the top of the men’s soccer roster. Freshman Phillip McCormick was recruited by the men’s soccer team his senior year of high school and played in 18 games, started 12 games and scored 11 goals for the Bisons in the 2008 season. McCormick had played soccer for as long as he could remember. “My parents put me in a soccer league when I was four,” he said. “Then I just never stopped playing after that. My older sister also played soccer, so I always looked up to her and took notes from her when I was younger.” McCormick joined his first club team at age 11 and played for two years. Then, he switched to a more advanced team, which traveled internationally to play in tournaments. Many times he won “man of the match,” a team award given to a game’s outstanding player, in his games overseas. After several years, that team broke up, and he rejoined his first team, which he decided still was not advanced enough for him to prepare to play on a collegiate level. Then, the soccer all-star moved to Dallas, Texas, with his family, which was where he played on his most successful team, winning two league championships back-to-back and personally scoring 24 goals in 17 games. “It was then that I was recruited by Harding University,” McCormick said. To say the least, he lived his life for soccer, which spectators and Harding teammates, like senior Odie Guzman, were able to see. “Phillip is a person that has a lot of heart for the game, and he never wants to let his teammates down,” Guzman said. “There have been many times that if he was not out there playing, we would have lost the game. He is a very humble person when he has an excellent game and refuses to give up any time we are losing.” The common agreement that fellow teammates had of McCormick made it evident that his passion for the sport was real. Throughout his soccer career, McCormick was never close-minded as far as positions he was to play. “Phil is a very skilled player,” junior teammate Andrew Flesher said. “He came into Harding as a defender but got moved up to striker shortly after [arriving]. He’s great to have as a teammate, and he’s definitely a team player and works hard in every training session.” Flesher also said he enjoyed playing with McCormick because of his work rate and skill, which raised the level of play in practice and games. “He’s got a very bright future as a player,” Flesher said. Another teammate, junior Chad Marshall, had similar feelings and views of McCormick. Marshall said that he was a very aggressive and passionate player and a good teammate to have. “You can never question his effort or his desire to win, and you can always count on him to work hard and never give up on his team,” Marshall said. Clearly, this rising all-star did not have an issue of wasting any talent on selfish ambition or from lack of teamwork. He was thankful for the success in his first collegiate season and the opportunities that it provided him. “My freshman year was a learning year for me,” McCormick said. “I hope that throughout my sophomore year I’ll be able produce greater results then I did my freshman year.” Allison Weaver benefit Freshman contributes time and talents to experienced team Senior forward Carter Truax leaps up high to win the ball from Lynn defenders on Aug. 31. Truax started a majority of the games for the Bisons and finished second in goals scored on the team. Craig Rainbolt added
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