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2021 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
National Winner – Keegan Donaca - Washington
2021 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
East – Molly Jendryka - New Jersey
Midwest – George Hageage IV - Michigan
South – Matt Shelton - North Texas
West – Keegan Donaca - Washington
2020 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
National Winner – Grace Melbuer - Washington
2020 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
East – Bella Pepe - N.Y. (East)
Midwest – Charlie Woodring - Ind.
South – Monica Moreno - Texas (North)
West – Grace Melbuer - Wash.
2019 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
National Winner – Jessica Lee - West Hempstead, N.Y.
Involved with multiple teams between club, school and two sports (soccer and lacrosse), Lee also finds time to be an incredible advocate for TOPSoccer. Lee introduced the program to her travel, junior high, and high school teams and encourages them to get involved as a TOPSoccer Buddy. She also incorporated a breast cancer awareness fundraiser and designed pink t-shirts for an event with TOPSoccer which raised $1,400 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
2019 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
East – Jessica Lee - West Hempstead, N.Y.
Midwest – Liberty Messer - Mason, Ohio
South – Iain Garza - Ft. Worth, Texas
West – Scott Stevison - Vancouver, Wash.
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2018 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
National Winner – Julia R. Bulgarelli - Avondale, Pa.
Bulgarelli has been involved with TOPSoccer at Delaware Rush Soccer for seven years amounting to over 100 sessions as a TOPSoccer buddy. While the numbers of her participation is impressive, her true value is in her ability to teach a player the skills of the day and help the player learn. Bulgarelli has made the special needs community a part of her life and has become a role model for children in the community as she inspires others with her dedication and always showing the utmost dignity and respect to all others
2018 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
East – Julia R. Bulgarelli - Avondale, Pa.
Midwest – Elizabeth Sensel - Liberty Township, Ohio
South – Morgan Shupsky - Lakeland, Fla.
West – Sydney Shafer - Placentia, Calif.
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2017 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
National Winner – Abbey Wills – Amissville, Va.
Wills has won national awards in English, Spanish and Latin, but those close to her say her real talent is her ability to communicate and interact with her TOPSoccer athletes. She has volunteered with the program for five years and is a nationally certified TOPSoccer coach. Wills continues to be a valuable asset to all involved in TOPSoccer and has organized several events to promote TOPSoccer in her community, including arranging for her entire high school team to volunteer with the program.
2017 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
East – Abbey Wills – Amissville, Va.
Midwest – Chris George – Lexington, Ky.
South – Natalie Bress – Melbourne Beach, Fla.
West – Kenna Casey – Chandler, Ariz.
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2016 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
National Winner – Patrick D. Casey – Nokesville, Va.
Patrick D. Casey is a positive role model for many TOPSoccer athletes. Forming a relationship with each athlete is a high priority for him. Casey has been a TOPSoccer volunteer for five years, and has been described as “patient, caring and enthusiastic” by his peers. Casey is a nationally certified TOPSoccer coach, a summer camp TOPSoccer coach and he promotes TOPSoccer at various community events. Moreover, Casey has a 4.1 GPA and he is in the top 10 percent of his class.
2016 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
Region I – Patrick D. Casey – Nokesville, Va.
Region II – Larissa Marielle Seibt – Chicago, Ill.
Region III – LeAnne Davison – Greenville, S.C.
Region IV – Petra Azar – Santa Ana, Calif.
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2015 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year [Video]
National Winner – Zachary Saliterman – Mendham, N.J.
This fall was Zachary Saliterman’s 13th season in the West Morris SC TOPSoccer program, which his family founded, and his fifth running the program in its entirety. Saliterman has logged over 100 hours as a buddy and director. He handles all aspects of the program, including session plans, recruiting volunteers and players, managing equipment and securing field space. The high school senior continues to offer players a safe and supportive environment to learn the game.
2015 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
Region I – Zachary Saliterman – Mendham, N.J.
Region II – Claire Bieber – Georgetown, Ky.
Region III – Kala Neighbor – Melbourne, Fla.
Region IV – Mary Barnum – Medford, Ore.
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2014 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year [Video]
National Winner – Kenny Wilson – Saucier, Miss.
Since his local TOPSoccer program began in 2007, Kenny Wilson has been involved as a coach, referee, equipment manager and more. As a father of four, including two children with disabilities, Kenny combines his passion for soccer and understanding of special needs children to share with them his love of the game. He has written a guide on refereeing TOPSoccer and helped promote the program in the community. He has a high caliber of commitment to making the experience best for all involved.
2014 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
Region I – Diego Barajas – Wilmington, Del.
Region II – Gordon Gardiner – Shelby Township, Mich.
Region III – Kenny Wilson – Saucier, Miss.
Region IV – Ryan Olsen – Gresham, Ore.
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2013 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year [Video]
National Winner – Brock Turner – Boca Raton, Fla.
Brock Turner has been involved with the Soccer Association of Boca Raton’s US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer program for the past eight years as a buddy assistant, uniform organizer, buddy captain and equipment manager. He’s given much of his time to TOPSoccer and encouraged those around him to do the same. Brock is active in the community and is a National Honor Society student who is now attending Sacred Heart University on an academic and athletic scholarship.
2013 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
Region I – Kayla Memis – Mullica Hill, N.J.
Region II – Lauren Wimer – Warren, Ohio
Region III – Brock Turner – Boca Raton, Fla.
Region IV – Kiley Adams – Edgewood, Wash.
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2012 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year [Video]
National Winner – Laura Ellen Aspelund – Anchorage, Alaska
Though she’s just a sophomore in high school, 15-year-old Laura Ellen Aspelund has made an impact on TOPSoccer participants, as she encourages players like her buddy, Mark, to try new things and embrace the game and life. In addition to being a buddy, Aspelund is also a certified TOPSoccer coach. Aspelund maintains a 4.0 GPA while balancing her work with TOPSoccer, other volunteer efforts and her own playing career, which included a spot on the Alaska Olympic Development Program team.
2012 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
Region I – Will Olson – McLean, Va.
Region II – Alyssa King – Lexington, Ky.
Region III – Jed Holstine – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Region IV – Laura Ellen Aspelund – Anchorage, Alaska
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2011 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
National Winner – Chris Przybylowski – West Haven, Conn.
When West Haven Youth Soccer started its TOPSoccer program, Chris Przybylowski was one of the first players to join. Now, 10 years later, Przybylowski has evolved into a standout leader and Buddy in West Haven Youth Soccer's TOPSoccer program. As a Buddy, Przybylowski exemplifies the ability to encourage players to work a little harder, inspire them have a little more fun and empathize when things get hard.
2011 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
Region I – Chris Przybylowski – West Haven, Conn.
Region II – Annie Dunbar – Lexington, Ky.
Region III – Cassie Thorla – Boca Raton, Fla.
Region IV – Riley Protz – Gresham, Ore.
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2010 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
National Winner – Ed Celli – Wilmington, Mass.
Fifteen years ago, when Ed Celli's children exited the youth soccer scene, he still had the desire to coach. Celli found his outlet when he came across US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer. He pitched the idea to the Wilmington Youth Soccer board of directors, and since the approval, Celli has been the ultimate Buddy forming a program that has flourished to include more than 93 players and 100 volunteer coaches. He has a special gift of understanding and communicating that adds value for his players.
2010 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
Region I – Ed Celli – Wilmington, Mass.
Region II – Jeff Mueller – Minneapolis, Minn.
Region III – The Culbertson Family, represented by Kyle Culbertson – Madison, Miss.
Region IV – Lindsay Barnum – Medford, Ore.
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2009 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
National Winner - Lauren Lawless, Kansas State Youth Soccer Association
Lauren Lawless, a four-year student athlete at Washburn University, has been with Topeka TOPSoccer since its inception. She leads practices for six to eight-year-olds and serves as liaison between the program and Washburn University. As liaison, she coordinated a TOPSoccer night at a Washburn University women's soccer game to honor members of TOPSoccer. Lawless is determined to see the program grow and has encouraged several college teammates to volunteer. To end the first season, she sent handwritten notes to thank players for their participation.
2009 US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year regional award winners:
Region I – Stephanie Lighter – Olney, Md.
Region II – Lauren Lawless – Topeka, Kan.
Region III – Kailey Boyer – Acworth, Ga.
Region IV – Ken Dandrea – Placentia, Calif.-South
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