The second annual Kevin Gray Player of the Year Awards were presented on Saturday at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in honor and memory of the late Kansas City Sports Commission President Kevin Gray. The ceremony recognized the following three outstanding local soccer players: Adrianna Franch, Derek Schrick and Allie Stephenson.
The Kevin Gray Awards consist of honors for a male and female Youth Player of the Year given to local high school seniors based on their performance in high school and club soccer throughout the year. An Adult Player of the Year Award is also given to a current collegiate or professional player with Kansas City roots.
A Salina, Kan. native, Franch was announced as the 2012 Adult Player of the Year. The Oklahoma State University goalkeeper compiled a school-record 32 shutouts in just three seasons. Franch is currently with the United States Women’s Under-23 National Team in Norway and was represented at the awards ceremony by her mother Raqual.
The 2012 Youth Male Player of the Year was awarded to Schrick for his exemplary performances for Rockhurst High School and the Sporting KC youth development academy. He finished his high school career with 45 goals and 64 assists and was named Missouri State Player of the Year, an NSCAA All-American and KC Metro Player of the Year. Schrick, who played for the Sporting KC academy for the past five years, will next play collegiate soccer at Southern Methodist University.
Stephenson received the 2012 Youth Female Player of the Year award. She led Lee’s Summit North to the Missouri Class 3 State Championship game, finishing her high school career with 113 goals and 57 assists, and led KCFC to the ECNL national championship, a tournament where she was twice named a First Team All-Tournament selection. Stephenson was named Missouri State Player of the Year and will join Franch at Oklahoma State University next season.
All three players will be recognized at halftime of Sporting Kansas City’s match against Toronto FC tonight during an on-field presentation. For more information on the Kevin Gray Player of the Year Awards, including photos and video of last year’s inaugural award winners, visit SportingKC.com.
