PAGE 16
August 2006
Far West Regional Referees
oh, what a week it was...
By Roberto Alvarez
SYRA
SYSA had a very good week at the
W
US Youth Soccer Far West
Regional Championships in Boise. Six-
teen teams made it to quarterfinals, ten
to semifinals, four to the finals, and two
became Regional Champions. And for
another team from Washington, it was
also a very, very good week.
Due to smaller than usual referee
contingents from other states, and the
level of excellence our referees achieved
in past years, Region IV asked
Washington to send additional officials.
This year, the Washington referee team
Jadon Berry
Jeremy Hanson
Aaron Riner
Jesse Scrimsher
Jordan Wilson
was the largest delegation ever sent to
the elite tournament. As a result,
Washington was represented by 41 ref-
erees and 7 coach/mentors in Boise
staff, and their scores help determine
Washington referees, the hard work and
prepare at least one fellow referee for
and we proved that Region IV's trust in
what their assignments will be the next
sacrifice endured over the past few
Regionals 2007 in Las Vegas. Are you up
Washington referees was well-placed.
to the challenge? s
day.
months resulted in high-profile recogni-
The week started off with a celebra-
As a group, Washington referees
tion as Washington earned nearly half of
tion, as Serena Frazier of Federal Way
received very good evaluations from the
the spots for Region IV at Nationals!
was named the Region IV Female Young
Assessors. This was reflected in the high
We are very proud of our five refer-
Referee of the Year winner. Serena is the
level of their assignments and the posi-
ees selected for Nationals (pictured
third Washington referee in the last five
tive feedback from Regional staff. Every
above), and we are also very proud of
years to win this award (Kristin Lambalot
referee from Washington received a
the 36 other referees who earned a
and Katie Fadden were previous win-
quarterfinal assignment on Thursday,
spot at the Regional Championships.
ners).
thirty-two received a semifinal assign-
Once again, Washington referees
During the group stage, Washington
ment on Saturday, and eleven received
exceeded expectations and
the honor of a Final assignment on
proved that the best refer-
referees received two (and sometimes
Sunday. Washington officials were given
ees in the West are from
three) assignments per day. In the same
six of the eighteen center referee assign-
Washington. My congratula-
way that players compete to advance to
ments.
tions to all our Regional
the next round, referees at the Regional
Following the Regional tournament,
Referees for a job well done.
Championships compete to be given the
each of the four Regions then sends their
They have now returned to
top assignments. They are evaluated on
twelve best referees to the US Youth
their local chapters and have
every match, either formally by a Referee
Soccer National Championships. For five
been given the challenge to
Assessor or informally by the Regional
Region IV Names Young Referees of the Year
SERENA FRAZIER - Washington
A
s a Grade 8 Referee, Serena Frazier has earned the admiration
and respect of her Washington referee corps where she is
recognized as a leader, and has been a mentor to younger referees
for over three years. With seven years of officiating experience, she
drew the attention of the Region IV Referee administration at last
year's Regional Championships in Denver as "one to watch." They
liked what they saw so much that she was named "Region IV Rookie
of the Year". She works both youth and adult matches in
Washington, and demonstrates great poise and professionalism no
matter how challenging the match. In addition to excellence in
Sam Herbert (AZ), Region IV Director Darl Rose, Serena Frazier (WA)
officiating, Serena lettered the past four years on her high school
soccer team, and works as a volunteer in a physical therapy
Congratulations Serena!
center. Serena plans to attend Brigham Young University in the fall.
For more on Serena and Region IV Male Referee winner Sam Herbert (AZ), visit www.regioniv.com