Friday, September 29, 2000
Newcomer adds kick to Lakota West
Bertz may be school's best ever
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Kenney Bertz
(Steven M. Herppich photo)
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More often than not, advance word on out-of-town athletes transfering into a school is exaggerated.
Months before Kenney Bertz showed up for soccer tryouts at Lakota West in July, coach Steve Cummins heard raves about the defensive specialist.
“We've had some great players at Lakota, but I'd say that Kenney is one of the best if not the best,” Cummins said. “He brings confidence to everyone on the team.”
Until Bertz arrived, Cummins was looking at a rebuilding season with seven freshmen and sophomores combined earning starting positions.
“We lost seven players but we returned a lot,” Cummins said. “We had so many players hurt last year it was hard to get a realistic bearing on how good we could have been.”
Born in Fountain Valley, Ca., Bertz's family moved to Mesa, Ariz. a year later after his father, Ken, was promoted by Ceco Corp.
“It bothered me when dad got promoted against last summer but I didn't have a choice but to move with the family in July,” Bertz said. “Soccer in Arizona was strong and I enjoyed living there.”
Soccer is a spring sport in Arizona and this allowed Bertz to play tailback and free safety for the Dobson High School football team in the fall and for a club soccer team inthe winter months.
A member of the Region 4 Club team, Bertz played a major defensive role for the Western squad that finished second in the country.
“I probably could have made the regional team but I didn't have the funding for the regional camp,” Bertz said. “I plan to tryout for the Region 2 team next year.”
An imposing athlete at 6-foot-1, 205-pounds, Bertz spearheads a Lakota West defense that has allowed two goals in eight games en route to a 5-0-3 record and No. 1 ranking in Cincinnati.
“Kenney is as complete a player as you will find,” Cummins said. “He's dangerous enough that people are now scouting him. He can fly and is the most technically proficient player I've coached.”
Bertz has the ability to throw the ball more than 65 yards on a throw-in, which adds another weapon to the Firebirds offensive arsenal.
“Throwing the ball comes natural,” Bertz said. “I've never calculated it but I can throw the ball from midfield into the goal.”
The Firebirds have had trouble putting the ball in the net, scoring only 16 goals compared to the 1998 team that scored 84.
When Cummins needs a scoring boost, Bertz is moved to the striker position.
“I don't mind playing offense, but I prefer defense,” Bertz said. “The way I look at it, it's more fun making someone else look bad.”
Because of the youth factor at the striker position, Cummins changed offensive formations for this season.
“We alternate two freshmen (Ryan Kustos and Kevin Noschang) at striker,” Cummins said. “We play two people behind the front runner who come up and attack. Next year I'll play both at striker and let them go.”
Another key to Lakota West's success is balance.
“We have 16 players and everyone gets in every game,” Cummins said. “It's like having a club team because the guys not starting are as good as the guys on the field.”
Cummins disagrees with many coaches who prefer senior dominated teams.
“I think that a blend of ages in soccer is best,” Cummins said. “We have seven good seniors with the juniors, sophomores and freshmen and there's lot of enthusiasm.”
As for the possibility of playing in cold weather, Bertz wasn't sure if it would effect his game.
“This will be a new experience for me,” Bertz said of the weather. “I've seen snow in the mountains, but it could be interesting driving in it this winter.”
Bertz, who prefers the warm weather, already hasplayed on a state championship team in Arizona as a freshman and would like nothing better to add a second title before graduating next year.
“I definitely see us going somewhere in the tournament,” Bertz said. “If everyone accepts nothing less than first place, we can do it.”
If Lakota West's defense continues to dominate teams and the offense comes of age, the Firebirds could duplicate the state title won by the girls team in 1999.
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