By JON RUDY for the Xenia Gazette

JAMESTOWN – If the state champion Greeneview Rams soccer team has proven anything, it's that it is quite the humble bunch.

Take for instance, senior forward Ryan Hartman being named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas All-American soccer team, an honor given to just 75 other players from around the country. Hartman is one of seven players from Ohio that were named.

And through it all, Hartman gives credit to his team before himself.

"Without the team, and without our state championship run, I don't know if it would've happened," Hartman said.

Hartman, a multisport star at Greeneview (he also plays basketball and runs track), set the school record for career goals with 72. Still, he credits everyone playing behind him more than he credits himself.

"At the forward position you can't get the ball unless the people playing behind you get it to you," Hartman said. "Anytime someone gets an award like that, it goes to the whole team."

The Rams capped off a perfect 23-0 season by winning a shootout, 3-1, over Youngstown Cardinal Mooney on Nov. 11 at Crew Stadium in Columbus. Hartman, as well as Brock Gill and Jared Randall, each scored a goal to give the Rams the win.

"It's a heck of an honor to be selected," said Greeneview boys soccer coach Bob Eakins. "To be one of 76 players nationwide, that puts him in pretty elite company."

Hartman was also named as the Division III Player of the Year, and while he was a definite go-to player for Greeneview's offense, he was just a cog in a well-oiled machine that exemplified the word "team."

"Ryan will be the first to tell you, without the team he doesn't get that award," Eakins said.

Eakins was also the recepient of an NSCAA award. He was named the 2005 NSCAA/Adidas High School Boys Regional Coach of the Year, which makes him eligible with seven other finalists to win National Coach of the Year.

The announcement will be made on Jan. 20 at the NSCAA Awards Banquet held in Philadelphia, Pa.

"I'm truly honored," Eakins said. "I feel that other people had a large part in it. [Assistant coach] Terry Gill has been a tremendous help. He's kept the interest of soccer alive in these kids over the years.

"I owe him a lot. Without him and the dedication of the kids this just wouldn't have been possible."

View Article at Xenia Gazette