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Niceville's Wolfkeil commits to Tide
By JARED MACARIN
jaredm@nwfdailynews.com
Niceville senior Ronnie Wolfkeil likes challenges.
It’s what she plays for, and what she was looking for in picking a college. The Eagles’ athletic performer found what she was looking for by verbally committing to play soccer for Alabama recently.
The commitment can be made official in February.
“I’m just excited,” Wolfkeil said. “It’s a relief that I’m done. I really wanted to try and go to a big school. I like the tradition of the school and SEC soccer is a good challenge. It’s what I was looking for.”
Wolfkeil picked the Tide over offers and interest from numerous schools.
According to Niceville head coach Michael Denton, the transition should not be too overwhelming for Wolfkeil. She has been a three-year starter for the Eagles and has career totals of nearly 20 goals and more than 30 assists while playing all over the field.
“I can put her anywhere on the field and she can make an impact,” Denton said. “She is a player that the other coach has to be aware of where she is. She is tall, fast and strong. Her ability to read and interpret the game and to be involved is great.”
Last season, Wolfkeil helped lead the Eagles to the Class 5A state semifinals by scoring goals in the regional semifinals and finals. Denton said that while he saw Wolfkeil’s talent immediately when she began in the program as a freshman, she has continued to work to improve even more.
“She is gifted with size and speed, but she has never rested on those things,” he said. “She worked hard to improve on technique, and she is always pushing herself harder and get that little more.
“She holds herself to a high standard and expects that of others in a leadership way.”
Wolfkeil said the recruiting process has been long, but recognized the help she got along the way.
“I had a lot of help,” she said. “(Fort Walton Beach coach) Bill Wilkins put my name out there and all my coaches really helped me.
“It’s been a long process, but worth it.”
For now, she is just happy to know where she is headed after a long summer of camps and tournaments. After attending a camp at Alabama in the summer, she had to wait until August to hear whether or not she would receive an offer.
“I had been waiting for a while (for the offer) and really wanted to go there,” she said. “I was so pleased when (coach Don Staley) told me. I was so excited.”
