Coupeville Sports

Amanda d’Almeida playing her “other” sport, where she is a three-time district champion. (John Fisken photo)

She’s going to Minnesota.

Coupeville High School senior Amanda d’Almeida, a standout soccer and tennis player who has combined athletic success with academic excellence, has signed to play college ball at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.

The Knights, who have repeat appearances in the NCAA tournament to their credit, are coached by Jocelyn Keller, who was a successful player at DePauw University.

d’Almeida received a $10,000 merit scholarship and “a very strong overall package,” said dad Dan d’Almeida.

Out of the numerous universities that recruited the standout scorer, she narrowed her final choices down to Carleton, Haverford, Whitman, CMS (Claremont-McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Scripps) and Willamette.

Pre-season camp begins August 17th for d’Almeida and her new teammates.

Her dad, who doubles as the girls’ soccer coach at CHS, hopes other Wolf athletes will take his daughter’s success as a reason to keep themselves equally dedicated, both on the playing field and in the classroom.

“I want to encourage athletes to be as great in the classroom as they are on the field or court in order to make affordable college possible,” he said. “Absolute dedication to a dream and hard work (off-Island year-round select soccer) pays off.

“Not always something that our kids want to hear, but often the ‘true’ story behind successful athletes.”