Gardnerville teen completes Holland trip

Gardnerville's Kayla Ackermann wasted little time making a name for herself in Holland.

The 12-year-old participated in the People to People Sports Ambassador program this summer, competing in the Regio Haarlem Cup soccer tournament in Holland in late July.

Her team, the Zebras, ended up taking second place in its pool, and Ackermann brought home the Leadership/Sportsmanship Award for her play during the tournament.

"It was scary and exciting going over there by myself," Ackermann said. "I improved a lot while I was there. It was a lot to take in.

"The competition was tougher, but the coaching was really great. They showed us a lot of moves to get by people."

Ackermann, a center forward who plays for the Carson Madness during the year, scored two goals, including the team's first in international competition, and had two assists during the tournament.

She played in the coed D13 division, a group that included teams from the Netherlands, Sudan, Sweden, Finland, Poland and the United States. She was one of only two girls on her team.

"It was tough playing was the boys but I think it made me a lot more aggressive," she said. "It felt awesome scoring that first goal. It was one of those plays where the right wing centered a pass in front of the net and I was there to kick it in."

But the trip wasn't about soccer alone.

Even though each day was planned out for the players from about 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including an average of six hours of practice every day, they still had time to see Holland.

Ackermann got to tour Anne Frank's house, a cheese factory and a wooden shoe factory and she even got to go on a canal ride.

"It was really great to see all the historical artifacts at Anne Frank's house," she said. "People are there to explain the story to you."

She was first notified by People to People that she was a candidate for the program back in December.

"What happens is a coach nominates you and then you can attend some informational meeting to find out more about it," she said. "In order to get selected, you have to submit three letters of recommendation and they look at your community service and academics along with your academic ability."

She was notified in February that she'd been accepted to the program, but then had to raise nearly $6,000 by May in order to make the trip.

"We were so impressed by how the community responded," Sherry Ackermann, Kayla's mother said. "They were so generous in such a short amount of time. WE are so grateful that she was able to participate in this program."

Ackermann sold candy bars and sought donations for the trip.

She had a long list of individuals she wanted to thank, including Stewart Title of Douglas County, Bing Construction, Dr. Niemeyer, Curtis-n-Sons Construction, Jeff and Christy Pisciotta, York Plumbing, Lorraine Masterson, Nevada Laureate Nu Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, Jethro's Oven and Grille, Re/Max Realty Affiliates, Chem Dry of Douglas County, Peggy Pedrogetti, Allstate Insurance, RosAnn Turiglliatto, West Ridge Homes, Greater Nevada Credit Union, High Desert Electric, Jim Korzineski, George Lever, Chad and Jeanne Cooley, Holly and Charlene Hanover, Tim Egan at Century 21, Robert and Ellen Davis at Century 21, Jan Condon, Century 21 Clark Properties, Kathy Whaley, Debbie Roberts, Kelly and Christina Werth, Anje de Knijf at Coldwell Banker Itildo, the McKinnish family, the Abele families, Bill and Sylvia Ackermann, Don and Kelly Nelson, Sean Hanson, Terry Welty of A Touch of Experience and Tood and Kelly Richter.

Ackermann will play for the Madness and Carson Valley AYSO this fall, which adds up to about four practice days a week. She will attend seventh-grade at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School.

-- Joey Crandall can be reached at jcrandall@recordcourier.com or at (775) 782-5121, ext. 212.