Student Athlete of the Week Menbere Sullivan

Only a few weeks removed from her third and final season within the Niwot High School girls soccer program, Menbere Sullivan is already experiencing some nostalgia looking back on her senior campaign.

"It was definitely the best high school season I've had," Sullivan said. "Our team was super close all year. Even if it was a super young team, I think the upperclassmen really stepped up. Our team had the same goal and purpose for the whole year, which I think really helped throughout our season. Even with the coaches, we all just had a great season all together."

Sullivan shared that Niwot's goal-driven approach helped keep the team connected while leading to some considerable success. The Cougars, loaded with only five seniors, finished 8-4-4 and reached the Class 4A state tournament for the first time in two years.

While statistics only reveal a small portion of Sullivan's senior-year contributions, the midfielder scored three goals, including two against Roosevelt High School on April 30, and tallied an assist, according to MaxPreps.com. The year prior, she had two goals and two assists.

"Since I'm a midfield, I'm in the play pretty much the whole time," Sullivan said. "I can see the whole field and understand where everyone is. I know where all my defenders are and where the ball is, so it's pretty easy for me to find my teammates and play them the ball. I've been playing for a really long time, so I really understand the whole field and my surroundings."

Sullivan, who transferred from Silver Creek High School to NHS following her freshman year, said she began playing soccer at the age of 4. "My parents put me into it and I've loved it ever since," Sullivan said.

After about 14 years on the pitch, watching her final high school season come to a close yielded some bittersweet emotions.

"It was super exciting but also really sad because this is all I've known my whole life, and it's just over like that," she said. "It's sad because I've always had a team to go to, but I don't really have that anymore."

Next fall, Sullivan plans on studying business at American University in Washington, D.C.

"I've always loved D.C.," Sullivan said. "I've gone there a couple of times, and I just love the diversity there because there isn't much I've experienced here... It was just the perfect spot for me."