West Valley’s Sharpe Stays On The Ball A Top Performer In Wrestling And Soccer, Quinn Sharpe Is No Slouch In Classroom
West Valley soccer ace Quinn Sharpe was in the midst of talking about his athletic endeavors before he stopped himself and said: “For this story, my mother told me to mention that I get good grades.”
In addition to getting high marks on the soccer field and on the wrestling mat, Sharpe sports a 3.98 grade point average in a pretty challenging curriculum of core courses.
He takes advanced placement U.S. history, honors English and advanced chemistry. In addition, Sharpe earned a seventh-place finish in the State AA wrestling tournament after finishing third the previous year, and is the leading scorer on the WV soccer team.
It has obviously been a busy year for the 16-year-old junior.
This time of the year for the Sharpe family, however, soccer practically takes center stage.
Quinn’s older brother, Gibby, played for the Eagles a couple of years ago. Quinn has played the sport since he was five. Little brother Skyler, 11, and sister Chelsea, 9, also play soccer.
“My parents (Tim and Sue) were soccer fans,” Quinn said. “Gibby started playing when he was five, and the rest of us just kind of followed along. Gibby and I used to play all the time and beat each other up.”
And maybe those whippings administered by Gibby have played a role in Quinn’s success.
This season, Quinn has registered a team-high eight goals in nine league games. West Valley has a record of 6-1-2 and is tied with Riverside/Deer Park (7-2-0) in the point standings at 14. However, the Eagles have beaten R/DP twice this season.
“It’s tight right now,” Sharpe said. “I think it’ll come down to who wants it more.”
And West Valley coach Dirk Litton knows that when it comes to hunger for success, there aren’t too many athletes whose desire to win exceeds that of Sharpe’s.
“You know what I really like about him? He doesn’t get into any screwy head games,” Litton said. “He’s such a value to this team. He’s very cool under pressure.”
It’s Litton’s belief that the nature of wrestling has helped enhance Sharpe’s mental approach on the soccer field.
“Wrestling is a lot like soccer because at any point during the contest, you can win,” Litton said. “He scored a game-winner in the 74th minute of play against Cheney. I think there may be some transfer psychologically between the two sports.”
Then again, maybe it’s the rock climbing that makes Sharpe such a focused person. Soccer teammate Dan Lorenson got him started in that sport.
But whatever it is, it has worked like a charm for Sharpe.
Though college is still a year-and-a-half away, Sharpe said he would welcome the opportunity to play for a school in the area, preferably Whitworth or Gonzaga.
But before all is said and done, Sharpe said he wants to do whatever it takes to help get the Eagles a state tournament berth before his playing career is over.
“I have a feeling we’ll get to state this year,” Sharpe said. “We’ve gotten through the toughest part of the schedule and we’re tied for first. I feel real good about our chances.”
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