By Nate Thompson
LocalSportsJournal.com
You can say Western Michigan Christian senior goalie Elaina Clapp conducted a job internship in preparation for her potential career in sports psychology.
Both Warriors players and coaches alike say Clapp is the definition of the team’s messenger and support system.
It’s just one of the key responsibilities of the three-time all-state goalie and senior leader.
“She’s been a captain for two years, but I wouldn’t say she’s the type that will get in her teammates’ face. Not a vocal type like that,” said WMC fifth-year head coach Jared McFarland. “She’s vocal when she’s in the net, but I believe she’s more so off the field. When you talk about connectivity amongst a team, ‘E’ is all about that. That’s been incredible for us, especially with such a young team. She’s the one that will be texting underclassmen before or after a game or before practice, making sure they’re doing things the right way. She’s so supportive of all her teammates. That’s what I really admire about her.”
Clapp said she’s just following suit from former Warriors that took her under their wing when she was a freshman or sophomore, players like defender Nadia Burr, or forward Nora Pollock. Sure enough,
Clapp will join Pollock on the women’s soccer team next season at NAIA school Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind.
Since a majority of the defense and midfield in front of her this season were freshmen or sophomores, she strived to do a lot of “behind the scenes work” and keep the younger players’ confidence high by giving them words of encouragement.
“Just come out and show the ability that they’re capable of playing at,” she said. “If they let things get into their head, it definitely can have a negative effect.”
Clapp plans on majoring in sports psychology at Grace College, in hopes of one day working with a professional franchise, preferably in soccer.
Clapp said she was the only one of her five siblings that really stuck with soccer and her parents, Ashley and Andrew Clapp, also weren’t big into the sport, either. She started playing with a Reeths-Puffer area club team when she was younger, and by the time she was in sixth grade, she realized soccer was her passion.
“It was during Covid, so when I couldn’t play, I realized that I missed it and really enjoyed it,” she said. “But I’ve played goalie my whole life.”
The dedication to the sport has definitely paid off, as she remains one of the best goalies in West Michigan.
“She’s incredibly athletic,” said McFarland, who has worked with her extensively in the off-season. “She’s a gym rat. She’s always lifting, improving her agility. She’s incredibly sound with her feet. E is a soccer player, not just a goalie. I always said she could have been an outstanding forward, but she doesn’t like to run all the time.”
Her visit and interactions with players and coaches at Grace College helped her realize that it checked all the boxes, including helping her reach her full potential as a goalie.
When Clapp committed last fall, she posted on social media and thanked former WMC teammate Alia Zuidema, who passed away on April 29, 2023, after a medical emergency.
“I want to thank God for the blessings He’s put in my life, teammates, coaches, family members and the ability to play soccer. I’d also like to commit this moment to Alia. We made a promise to each other that we would play in college and do it for the Lord, so as I take this next step in my life, I’d like Alia to be remembered through this for how much she pushed me on and off the soccer field and helped me get to where I am.”
Editorial note: This article was edited for space.
LocalSportsJournal.com
You can say Western Michigan Christian senior goalie Elaina Clapp conducted a job internship in preparation for her potential career in sports psychology.
Both Warriors players and coaches alike say Clapp is the definition of the team’s messenger and support system.
It’s just one of the key responsibilities of the three-time all-state goalie and senior leader.
“She’s been a captain for two years, but I wouldn’t say she’s the type that will get in her teammates’ face. Not a vocal type like that,” said WMC fifth-year head coach Jared McFarland. “She’s vocal when she’s in the net, but I believe she’s more so off the field. When you talk about connectivity amongst a team, ‘E’ is all about that. That’s been incredible for us, especially with such a young team. She’s the one that will be texting underclassmen before or after a game or before practice, making sure they’re doing things the right way. She’s so supportive of all her teammates. That’s what I really admire about her.”
Clapp said she’s just following suit from former Warriors that took her under their wing when she was a freshman or sophomore, players like defender Nadia Burr, or forward Nora Pollock. Sure enough,
Clapp will join Pollock on the women’s soccer team next season at NAIA school Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind.
Since a majority of the defense and midfield in front of her this season were freshmen or sophomores, she strived to do a lot of “behind the scenes work” and keep the younger players’ confidence high by giving them words of encouragement.
“Just come out and show the ability that they’re capable of playing at,” she said. “If they let things get into their head, it definitely can have a negative effect.”
Clapp plans on majoring in sports psychology at Grace College, in hopes of one day working with a professional franchise, preferably in soccer.
Clapp said she was the only one of her five siblings that really stuck with soccer and her parents, Ashley and Andrew Clapp, also weren’t big into the sport, either. She started playing with a Reeths-Puffer area club team when she was younger, and by the time she was in sixth grade, she realized soccer was her passion.
“It was during Covid, so when I couldn’t play, I realized that I missed it and really enjoyed it,” she said. “But I’ve played goalie my whole life.”
The dedication to the sport has definitely paid off, as she remains one of the best goalies in West Michigan.
“She’s incredibly athletic,” said McFarland, who has worked with her extensively in the off-season. “She’s a gym rat. She’s always lifting, improving her agility. She’s incredibly sound with her feet. E is a soccer player, not just a goalie. I always said she could have been an outstanding forward, but she doesn’t like to run all the time.”
Her visit and interactions with players and coaches at Grace College helped her realize that it checked all the boxes, including helping her reach her full potential as a goalie.
When Clapp committed last fall, she posted on social media and thanked former WMC teammate Alia Zuidema, who passed away on April 29, 2023, after a medical emergency.
“I want to thank God for the blessings He’s put in my life, teammates, coaches, family members and the ability to play soccer. I’d also like to commit this moment to Alia. We made a promise to each other that we would play in college and do it for the Lord, so as I take this next step in my life, I’d like Alia to be remembered through this for how much she pushed me on and off the soccer field and helped me get to where I am.”
Editorial note: This article was edited for space.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
