Marin Academy challenges itself to be the best

Josh Kalkstein still goes to work excited, every day. Even after 24 years of coaching boys and girls soccer at Marin Academy, he still enjoys it, and coaching one team, and not the other, is not an option at this point. "I couldn’t imagine coaching one team and not the other," Kalkstein said. "Seeing (the players) passion still inspires me regularly, and getting to work with such talented kids who are just good people is a gift that keeps on giving. I genuinely have the best job in the world and while I may be the head coach, it just means that I have the best seat in the house for every game." This year’s teams might be challenging themselves on the pitch more than any Wildcats soccer team before it. The boys are playing De La Salle, Jesuit, St. Ignatius, Sacred Heart Prep, Ygnacio Valley, Montgomery, Redwood, and Cardinal Newman. These programs are the cream of the crop in Northern California. The girls are opening their season with Tamalpais, Cardinal Newman, and Redwood. This is a brutal schedule, but Kalkstein and associate Ricky Martin want to push their sides and not think about what it might do to their record or playoff seeding. "At MA we just want to play the best games year in and out, without thinking about playing the rankings game," Kalkstein said. "Our kids want to challenge themselves and leave it all out on the field while representing MA. It’s honestly that simple. We worry about one game at a time and focus on character, growth, and the collective." As enticing as Marin Academy playing De La Salle is in terms of sizing up the program, Kalkstein said it best when he mentioned character and growth. At Marin Academy, challenging one’s self is more than just results-based. "Both teams are filled with some great kids," Kalkstein said. "Not only talented, but great ambassadors of the school and soccer program. Honestly, it’s an honor for (us) to be working with the kids. So many kids that are exceptionally passionate and committed to both their respective teams and their own development." "It’s truly inspiring. We also are very proud of the culture that we have in that alums take pride in seeing the current teams do well and the upperclassmen take pride in being good mentors for the younger players. The Wildcats have a loaded roster, but here are the players that should really standout this season. On the girls side Calista Poulous, [player_tooltip player_id="19480" first="Halle" last="Hanna"], Becca Sherry and Ella Klingelhofer will be key players while for the boys [player_tooltip player_id="6939" first="Aiden" last="Aley"], [player_tooltip player_id="7562" first="Ethan" last="Carr"], [player_tooltip player_id="8750" first="Tyler" last="Huck"], Alex Marmalejo and Owen Swagel will be heavily relied on. They are all seniors. "We never cease to be impressed by the pride the older kids take in their aiding in the development of the younger players," Kalkstein said. "It’s genuine and a real passing of the baton. They all benefited from older players and now it’s their turn to give back. While we’ve certainly had our fair share of on-field success, this is still the one thing we take the most pride in." <strong>GIRLS TEAM</strong> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Calista Poulous, Attacking Midfield/Left Wing, Senior</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Poulous is a very dynamic and creative player. She is powerful, great at running at kids, and has a rocket shot. She is very dangerous in getting behind the defense and creating for her teammates. She is committed to play at Johns Hopkins.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="19480" first="Halle" last="Hanna"], Forward/Wing, Senior</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hanna is a player with great pace, runs with power at defenders, and draws defenses with her runs. She is a big personality, a great leader, and a great finisher. She's committed to Amherst.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Becca Sherry, Forward, Senior</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sherry is one of two captains. She is a big, strong player. A left-footed player with good pace, she is technically sound and great at taking on defenders. She is good with the final ball and can play anywhere down the spine.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ella Klingelhofer, Holding Midfield, Senior</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">The other captain, Klingelhofer is an amazing leader who is always positive. She is a great tackler, she dictates the speed of the game and with her outstanding awareness, she creates numbers for her team. She is also exceptional in the air. Klingelhofer is a mutli-sport star, who also is a lacrosse standout but is going to focus on academics in school.</span> <strong>BOYS TEAM</strong> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="6939" first="Aiden" last="Aley"], Attacking Mid, Senior</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Wildcats have had a lot of technical kids come through, but Aley might be one of the most technical. He's super creative, he's great with both feet, he has a strong motor, and covers a lot of ground. He's a dynamic player that can play all over the field and is committed to Occidental.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="7562" first="Ethan" last="Carr"], Holding Mid, Senior</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Carr is one of those players who off the field is one of the nicest people you'll meet, but on the pitch, he is super competitive. He's exceptionally technical, again one of the most technical MA has ever had. He's fantastic at reading the game, he has the biggest voice on the pitch and with a big engine, he covers a lot of ground. Carr has college offers, but has not got the one he wants and will take a gap year to try and get an offer from a higher-level soccer school.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="8750" first="Tyler" last="Huck"], Attacking Mid, Senior</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Huck is great at running at defenders, with a terrific ability to strike the ball with accuracy. He has great ability to play the final ball and is very creative. He is committed Bowdoin.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alex Marmalejo, Wing, Senior</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Marmalejo is a good finisher who is dangerous and creative. He can play on either side, and will continue to make runs behind the defense. He is a willing runner because he knows it could be the difference in the match.</span> <h5><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Owen Swagel, Center Back, Senior</span></strong></h5> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Swagel is shifting from outside back to center back this year, and he's technical enough to do it. He's good in short and long distances, can play the ball forward or build from the back and is a serious weapon on set pieces.</span>