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Ridgeland High all-around athlete commits to Lady Bulldogs The Holmes Community College Lady Bulldogs soccer team is excited to announce that Ridgeland High School (RHS) athletic standout Britain Welzien has committed to the team for 2016-2017. Welzien met with Holmes Head Women's Soccer Coach James "Gleddy" Gledhill in July, and made her commitment in September.
"I'm delighted that Britain will be playing at Holmes next fall," Coach Gledhill said. "I first coached her when she was a 12-year-old playing club soccer at Jackson Futbol Club. I know Britain will bring strong leadership to our program along with a wealth of soccer knowledge and experience of playing at a high level."
Welzien is no ordinary female athlete. Her success on the soccer field led Ridgeland Head Coach Kenny Burton to recruit her to kick for the football team. Coach Burton happened to catch her making field goals while playing around one day after soccer practice, and although was half serious at the time, told her she should join the team.
"I see the ball go in, didn't really pay that much attention, and it was her kicking the football," Coach Burton told WJTV News. "And about two minutes later, I heard another solid thump, which is what you want to hear as a coach. I turn around and look and it was her. She was hitting them PAT's right down the middle. So I stopped what I was doing with the rest of the guys and watched her."
The 18-year-old soccer star and high school football sensation has been playing soccer for 11 years. She is ambidextrous; a rare player who considers both her left and right foot to be dominant. Welzien plays defense in soccer, so playing kicker has given her the opportunity to be in the goal-scoring position in football. She is very accurate from the extra point placement, and her range is approximately 35 yards.
In addition to keeping busy with football and soccer, Welzien is also a cheerleader, flute player, honor student, and golfer. RHS offers its athletes the option to go "split-time," which allows her to go to half the practices since she is involved in multiple sports. She has made school history for the RHS Titans, and Holmes Community College looks forward to adding her to the Lady Bulldog soccer roster next fall.
For more information about Holmes soccer and other athletics, visit www.holmesathletics.com.
To learn more about Britain, check out the newest edition of Ridgeland Life magazine at http://www.ridgelandms.org/wp-content/uploads/RidgelandLife_Fall2015.pdf
IN THE PHOTO: Welzien has committed to the Holmes Community College Lady Bulldogs soccer team for the 2016-2017 school year. Photo credit: Jan Richardson
