Talent, hard work power McKenzie
ADAMS TWP — If you've seen Mars junior forward Ryan McKenzie on the soccer field, his raw talent might appear to be his best attribute.
Think again.
"His work ethic is the strongest part of his game," said Mars coach Chris Knauff. "He runs down balls you would think he has no business getting to.
"He never stops and is really the perfect player to coach," Knauff added.
McKenzie, 16, scored 20 goals and contributed 17 assists for the Planets, who won the WPIAL Class AA title and finished 18-3-2 overall.
That effort earned him the 2008 Butler Eagle Boys High School Soccer Player of the Year award.
The junior notched two hat tricks, including one in a WPIAL semifinal win over South Park.
As a sophomore in 2007, McKenzie led the Planets with 17 goals and was a big reason why Mars played in the PIAA title game.
"We went to Hershey last year and won a WPIAL title this year," said McKenzie. "It's very rewarding to know that all of our hard work paid off.
"The trip to Hershey was as much fun as I've ever had."
McKenzie arrived on the varsity scene as a freshman in 2006. His first order of business was to prove he could keep up with older and more experienced players.
"Most freshmen have trouble staying with the varsity players," said Knauff. "But Ryan showed he belonged. He got a good deal of playing time that season and he ended up playing like a junior."
"I wasn't really nervous, I just wanted to show I could play," McKenzie said of his freshman campaign. "Our coaches gave the freshmen a fair shot of getting on the field."
McKenzie's speed is tailor-made for the forward position.
"Freeport's (Adam) Bombalski did a good job of staying with Ryan," said Knauff. "But I don't think anybody is quite as fast as he is."
McKenzie stays involved with soccer outside of the high school team.
He's currently gearing up for Cup soccer, which will run until July.
Ryan McKenzie isn't the only talented athlete in his family. His younger sister, Kristen, scored 13 goals and seven assists as a freshman for the Mars girls in 2008.
"Neither of our parents played soccer," said Ryan. "But I started playing at a young age and Kristen followed."
With much already accomplished in his high school career, McKenzie has high hopes for 2009.
"I'd like to get 25 goals and 20 assists," he said. "History shows that I'm a balanced player."
"With as much as he works on his game, he's going to be stronger and have better vision," said Knauff. "Look out!"
