Paytn Grady recalled floating the idea to Alicia Pinchok.
“We should play soccer,” Grady said.
Pinchok’s response?
“Maybe not,” Pinchok said. “I thought she was kind of crazy.”
Grady and Pinchok, now both seniors at Crown Point, hadn’t played soccer since fifth grade. As freshmen and sophomores, they were part of the school’s dance team that went to nationals in Orlando.
But as juniors, seeking a different outlet for their athleticism and competitive nature, they made the switch. Grady, an outside midfielder, and Pinchok, a defender, are also state-level track athletes.
They have been welcome additions to the Bulldogs. Chris Mikrut, in his 11th season as coach, has known Grady’s family for a number of years. Pinchok was a student in his class.
“I knew they had played as young kids, but it can be very difficult to just jump into a program,” Mikrut said. “Sometimes that transition would be hard. But their work ethic was so important. They pushed kids in conditioning.
“They love to win, they take pride in it, so winning those races we have and pushing kids to get in better shape and get faster was important for the team.”
The speed factor was important.
“When those kids showed up and we saw how fast they were, we knew if we could get the technical part down, we’d be OK,” Mikrut said. “We were and we are. Their work rate got them here. It earned everybody’s respect.”
Grady and Pinchok confirmed they were nervous last season at the start of conditioning, summer workouts and practice. But they prepared with friends on the team.
And with the support of teammates, their skills and tactical understanding have continued to develop, to go along with their speed.
“It just shows you can try anything and do anything as long as you put your mind to it,” Grady said. “Last year, I didn’t have the foot skills. I felt bad for my teammates because I would get the ball and someone on the other team would take it.
“But now, I get the ball, take it down the line and I can beat the player and slot the ball across.”
Pinchok, whose ability in last season’s sectional final to mark speedy senior striker Raegan Walther was instrumental in Crown Point’s win over Kankakee Valley, agreed they have shaken off the rust.
“I’m more confident and comfortable when I get the ball,” Pinchok said. “It’s more natural. We’re back in the groove.”
Grady and Pinchok also have excelled in track.
Grady was part of Crown Point’s 1,600-meter relay that placed eighth in the state in 2015 and seventh in 2016, winning regional titles both times. She missed more than half of last season with a stress fracture in her right foot, likely costing her a chance to make the state meet in the 400. But she again was on the Bulldogs’ 1,600 relay that qualified.
Pinchok qualified for last season’s state meet in the 100 hurdles.
They both noted soccer has helped with track in terms of endurance and being closer to top form earlier in the season.
“It was the one aspect of the game we haven’t had the last couple of years, that ability to get behind the defense — that speed wasn’t there,” Mikrut said. “We had a lot of technically talented kids, but when we played a ball in, we couldn’t win it.
“Now all of a sudden, defenses have to worry about Grady getting behind you. On the other side, teams play a ball in, and AP runs it down. They’ve just been the perfect fit for what we needed — speed — in two spots.”
Grady and Pinchok hope to make it two sectional titles in as many seasons with the Bulldogs (11-5, 6-1), who open the postseason Thursday against Duneland Athletic Conference rival Lake Central at Munster.
“I’ve made a lot of new friendships and had a lot of new experiences,” Pinchok said. “I’m glad I was able to experience both dance and soccer in high school.”
Grady expressed a similar sentiment.
“I have no regrets at all,” Grady said. “I wanted to experience dance in high school and I loved it. But having that one-on-one in soccer as part of the team aspect has been so much fun.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff
Top 10
Last week’s rankings in parentheses
1. Chesterton (1)
2. Munster (2)
3. Crown Point (3)
4. Lake Central (4)
5. Valparaiso (5)
6. Wheeler (6)
7. Highland (7)
8. Andrean (8)
9. Lowell (9)
10. Marquette (10)
Player of the Week: Katlyn Cherry had three goals and three assists as Hebron posted wins against Westville and Covenant Christian.
