Again this spring, the girls soccer program at Longmont High School is trying to put another tough season in the rearview mirror without the kind of player turnout as some of the other nearby schools. Taxing, it can admit.
The Trojans, though, may have a secret weapon. Her name is Greta Wedel, and she can run circles around you … with her words.
Along with being a strong defender and one of Longmont’s senior captains, Wedel is one of the top high school speech and debaters in the country.
This spring, the Trojans are hoping that voice can help them as they look to take a step forward in the midst of six straight losing seasons.
How so, you ask?
“I think the best example is, a lot of times during games it’s a very high-pressured environment,” the reigning Class 4A speech and debate champ begins her assessment. Her points, as always, fitted neatly.
“Meaning, girls will have the propensity of getting angry at one another, which impairs the team’s ability to function on the field. I think learning how to articulate critique in a positive way as opposed to a negative way has been one of the things I’ve been able to learn through communication-skill building.”
Articulate.
Her teammates love it.
Opposing trash-talkers should fear it.
“She’s not as loud as you’d expect her to be,” co-captain Sam Whitted laughs. “But when she does, it’s very clear and well said.”
“When my athletes hear things from their own peers, they tend to take things a little bit more to heart,” Longmont coach Patricia Pless adds. “Obviously, Greta is an analytical thinker. That’s why she’s always winning in speech and debate. She really studies the game and has some really nice input after each game for the girls to help strengthen their games. And I think it definitely helps with their confidence.”
In the weeks prior to the start of the spring season, Wedel won the state championship in speech and debate. She was tasked with arguing both sides on an immigration topic. And to no one’s surprise — her speech nor her soccer friends’ — she flourished.
She then won again at her regional tournament a week ago, qualifying for nationals for a third year. Just last year, she’d taken 13th for best speaker and presenter at nationals, receiving All-American status by the National Speech and Debate Association.
“Her strength is her voice,” Pless says. “Her teammates respect what she says. They see she understands the game with all her logistics and analytical thinking.”
But before she starts down the pre-law track, Wedel wants to leave her mark her senior season.
The Trojans haven’t won more than three games in a season since 2016.
They continue to try and entice more players to the program despite many club players going elsewhere with open enrollment. It’s an “uphill battle”, their coach admits.
This year, they’ll play in the 3A classification because while their numbers are up compared to last year, they have just two varsity subs and a total of 36 players in the program.
“A new chapter,” Wedel says of it.
“We would obviously like to make an improvement compared to prior seasons,” she says. “Obviously, there’s practice and skill building and stuff. But specifically changing the way we’re communicating and acting in terms of team dynamic is going to be forefront.”
