Trinidad and Tobago youth team footballer Shanelle Warrick has excelled in her sophomore (second) year at Bryant and Stratton College, in Syracuse, upstate New York, United States.
The 19-year-old, who is studying Hotel and Restaurant Management, was recently named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) All-Region Conference in the 2009 season. “Since I’m up there, I must say that (in terms of) my soccer career, I’m on top of my game,” stated Warrick, during a recent interview.
The well-spoken Warrick is the captain of the school team and plays as a striker, or sometimes as an attacking midfielder. “It’s a tremendous thing to be playing away,” she said. “I must say (the) competition level to Trinidad level is way higher and I think I stepped up really good.
“In my sophomore year, I topped everything – MVP, Most Goals, All Region, All Conference, All American, which is like the most prestigious thing, for awards, in college football,” she added. Reflecting on her season, Warrick noted, “I suffered a severe injury, where I had to do surgery to my (right) shin. “I played six games, in which I scored 20 goals,” she continued. “It was pretty good. I finished second in my region in goals so it wasn’t bad after all.”
With regards to her school team, she pointed out, “my team is a good team but not one of the best teams. We’re top in our region but when we go to the Conference and in the nation, we tend to struggle. “We made it far this season, we reached the final but we lost 3-1 to a tough team, Munroe (City College), second in the nation.”
Warrick is not resting on her laurels, as she is looking to gain a transfer to a Junior College. “I’m not sure where I’m going yet,” she said, “(I’m) looking for the best offer. It’s not finalised yet to where I’m going.
“Probably by the end of January I’ll have to make that decision.” She affirmed that she loves her home district of Trincity but, as far as life in the United States is concerned, “I don’t mind going to school there and playing there. “Trying to move on to a four-year is positive, that’s my destiny,” added Warrick. “After the four years, I’m looking to go pro, if it presents itself.” She was not shy in listing her parents, in particular her father Joel Warrick, as her main influence as a footballer. “The main people in my life (are) my mom and my dad,” she said.
“They’ve always been there for me. I don’t think there is anyone I can thank. “My dad, since I was six, always on the field, I think all goes to him,” she added. I passed through a lot of coaches (including) Jamaal Shabazz, Marlon Charles, my foreign coaches but I think my dad stands out, not just as a parent but as an inspiration.”
When asked about the players she looks up to, she replied, “Trinidad- wise, Maylee Attin-Johnson, we have a really good bond. “She’s like family and I think she’s really talented despite what she has gone through with two ACL surgeries.”
Warrick also listed Barcelona and Argentina striker Lionel Messi and Real Madrid and Brazil midfielder Kaka as two of her favourite players.