Haley Nelson is ‘one of the best’ in terms of North Dakota talent

JAMESTOWN — Haley Nelson was counted as one of the best senior athlete competing in North Dakota prep gymnastics scene in February.

Whereas some in all probability anticipated her to make good on her tumbling abilities, Nelson already had made her determination about her post-high faculty pursuits and they didn’t contain a leotard.

“I bear in mind telling (Jamestown Excessive Faculty soccer coach) Brandi (Harty) the summer time going into my sophomore 12 months that my aim was to play soccer in school,” Nelson mentioned. “I believe that shocked her as a result of everybody has at all times seen me as a gymnast earlier than a soccer participant.”

Nelson dedicated to play collegiate-level soccer on the College of Mary starting this fall. The current Jamestown Excessive Faculty grad shall be making the transfer to Bismarck on Aug. 6.

The Marauders are set to formally kick off the season on Aug. 25 towards South Dakota’s Black Hills State College. The match is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

“I made a decision to decide on soccer over gymnastics, as a result of as a lot as I cherished my gymnastics profession I simply grew to like soccer extra,” Nelson mentioned. “It’s enjoyable to be part of a crew and realizing that not all the strain is simply on you, everybody’s continuously supporting one another.”

Nelson has obtained loads of assist within the Buffalo Metropolis. Nelson mentioned she nonetheless practices with a majority of the Blue Jay squad thrice per week. The U Mary commit mentioned her twin brother Hunter and Breanna Oettle have been useful by coming to the sector along with her and coaching along with her when she wants a accomplice.

“The coaching for school contains fairly a little bit of operating, lifts and soccer periods all through the week,” Nelson mentioned. “My coaches have mentioned that an important factor with coaching is that you just put in all of your effort and maintain your self accountable.”

Nelson mentioned she is certainly nervous for her upcoming collegiate season, however her coaches at U-Mary have been actually encouraging and all the ladies on the crew have been welcoming. Nelson mentioned that has been very useful in regard to the adjustment from highschool to school.

“Haley is among the high gamers within the state of North Dakota and a primary purpose we have been fascinated by her as a participant,” College of Mary head soccer coach Sarah Cook dinner mentioned. “Our roster may be very numerous with gamers from everywhere in the USA, in addition to worldwide gamers, however we positively wish to be sure we’re getting one of the best expertise from our state as properly, and Haley is a kind of gamers.”

One other factor that has helped the Bismarck-bound Blue Jay put together for her first school season was a star-studded closing prep season.

Nelson tallied 16 targets for the Blue Jays in her closing season and tacked on a pair of assists for 18 complete factors, a determine that eclipsed her teammates’ marks by at the very least 11 factors.

Nelson’s 16 targets tied Minot’s MaLiah Burke and Bismarck Excessive’s Addy Massey for essentially the most targets scored within the WDA.

As a junior, Nelson managed to place up a complete of 9 factors.

“I believe my final highschool season helped me lots,” Nelson mentioned. “I gained far more confidence in my skills and even the downfalls we had benefited me indirectly regardless that I didn’t really feel that means on the occasions they occurred.”

Pitfalls and challenges will undoubtedly be part of Nelson’s collegiate profession however the Blue Jay standout mentioned she is doing all she will be able to to strengthen herself mentally to keep away from the setbacks she could encounter.

Proper now, Nelson mentioned she is attempting to mentally put together herself to not be too nervous and to play with confidence as a result of that’s when she performs her finest.

“Haley is aggressive, pushed and simply an all-around athlete. Her accomplishments in gymnastics and soccer communicate to that,” Cook dinner mentioned. “I anticipate Haley to have the ability to compete for an impression position on the crew and I really feel along with her energy, pace and goal-scoring potential, she is not going to solely do properly however proceed to evolve throughout her profession right here at College of Mary.

“Along with her work ethic in each sports activities, I do know that she is an athlete who will thrive in our surroundings.”