Mead’s Backup Goalie Puts High Priority On Team

Aaron Walkup is a lot like the Maytag repairman, except that the Maytag repairman probably gets more action.

Walkup is the backup goalkeeper for the Mead soccer team - that’s backup behind a starter who hates to take a break on a team that rarely puts its last line of defense in jeopardy.

A senior, Walkup didn’t need to back up a position that doesn’t really need a backup. He chose to do so anyway, revealing more about his character than even stepping in for an ill Rich Cullen late in the season to keep the Panthers undefeated against a good University team .

“It’s fun to play sports, be out there with friends, have fun with the team,” Walkup said. “I just really wanted to keep my athletic skills ready for college, keep in shape, pretty much. And to belong to a team.”

So despite the likelihood of not playing Saturday, Walkup is doing everything he can to help the Panthers (15-1) get ready for their 1 p.m. game against Pasco (15-1-1) in the State AAA playoffs. The winner of that game at Mead High School advances to the final four at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup next week.

“I just try to relax, hang out with friends, keep my mind off the game,” Walkup said.

“The day of the game, I’ll get up, get ready for the game, listen to music. I’ll practice hard in warm-up, help the team best I can. Then we go out and play a good game. Hopefully, we’ll win.”

Emphasis on we.

That’s why Mead coach Dick Cullen, father of Rich, didn’t hesitate to keep a senior for that backup role.

“We felt that Aaron has worked so hard, improved so much and is such a quality kid, we wanted him on the varsity,” Cullen said. “He’s a strong keeper. We didn’t hesitate.

“We just told him, ‘When you get in, play like it’s your position and every day in practice play like you want to win that position.’ He’s done that.”

Walkup knew he wasn’t going to play much; he was in the same situation as a junior.

“This year I thought I’d play a little more, and I have,” he said. “We’re friends. We just help each other out, pretty much.”

Coach Cullen said, “Aaron’s just made big improvements over the last few years. I think the biggest improvement he’s made is playing the position intelligently and developing good poise and aggressiveness.

“What he lacks in foot quickness he makes up in positioning. He works Rich hard. Rich works him hard. They’re good for each other.”

Walkup began playing soccer in second grade, and it took only a couple of years for him to become a keeper.

He said he liked “the abuse” a keeper takes.

“It’s fun. It keeps your mind going. You have to think a lot,” he said.

“Mentally and physically, we go through a lot of punishment. It’s something you have to grow into, I guess.”

Walkup stuck with it because he plans to play soccer for the Community Colleges of Spokane next year, and at the very least he’s practicing against the best, even if he rarely gets called on.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo