Cerniglia Becomes New Girls’ Soccer Coach
Bringing 15 years prior coaching experience from his time coaching high school boys soccer at Waynedale and a Ohio Strikers United club team, Science Dept. member Charles Cerniglia is poised to take over the WHS girls varsity soccer team.
Cerniglia enjoys the excitement and passion found in high school sports, which he identifies as special qualities to encounter in athletics of any variety.
“There is an emotional intensity in high school varsity athletics that you won’t find anywhere else. To go into stadiums and compete for championships under the lights with your childhood friends is the ultimate [experience}. You won’t find that in club. you won’t find that in college. You won’t find that anywhere else. And to get to do that with the super-cool people on this team makes that incredible experience even more special,” Cerniglia said.
Assisting Cerniglia and taking over the JV coaching position for the girls is Amanda Largent who enjoys coaching with him and has seen his coaching expertise first hand.
“Coaching with Cerniglia has been great. He knows the game very well and his coaching is focused. The girls are not only learning a lot, but they are enjoying playing together and improving every day. He is dedicated to this program’s success,” Largent said.
Senior captain and returning team member, Heidi Ebin, notes the dedication Cerniglia wants from his players.
“He really wants us to put in a lot of effort to be the best we can be,” Ebin said.
Cerniglia does not want this year’s team to be taken lightly especially in conference play and feels like they can exceed expectations.
“I believe in this team, and this team believes in itself. We won’t be intimidated and when we meet our OCC rivals. I think they’re going to find out we’re a whole lot tougher than they think we are,” Cerniglia said.
The girls’ varsity soccer team plays their next home game against Westerville North High School Sept. 17.
