Mooney’s Harris earns dual honors

Staff report

On the same day last week that Cardinal Mooney junior Myles Harris received All-Ohio honors for the 2013 high school soccer season, he also was recognized as a 2012-2013 U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Olympic Development Program player.

Harris was noted for his performance at the Region II camp in July in Rockford, Ill.

Harris received the honor at the Ohio Youth Soccer Association Annual Awards Luncheon on Saturday in Cleveland. He was among five players from the northern part of Ohio named to a pool of players representing 10 Mid-Western states.

Players from four regions across the United States are then provided the opportunity to be selected for the national team. Harris, who will serve as an alternate, can be called up at any time for a shot at the national spotlight.

Harris showcased a variety of skills in being named All-State as a striker and midfielder while leading Mooney in scoring with six goals and three assists. He displayed another side to game when switching from offense and joining the best players from Ohio North as a defender at the camp.

“From a coaching standpoint, it makes sense because of his physical ability,” said Oliver Condell, a ODP staff coach who coached Harris the last two summers.

“It dawned on us that playing center back was his home because he’s physical, fast and strong. He held his own against the best players in the Midwest.”

At the center back position, Harris played in all four games in three days in Rockford, Ill., against Kentucky, Dakota (North and South), Wisconsin and Michigan as Ohio North finished with a 2-1-1 record.

Harris has been selected to the state ODP team for the past three years, but this is the first time he has received regional honors.

The Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association All State Banquet will take place in January in Columbus.

Harris will be part of a select group of area players honored at the dinner.