Soccer: Heritage's Markel enjoying fresh start

Hannah Markel of Rogers Heritage plays soccer Tuesday at Fayetteville High School.
Hannah Markel of Rogers Heritage plays soccer Tuesday at Fayetteville High School.

ROGERS -- Rogers Heritage's Hannah Markel endured a frustrating, injury-plague sophomore season, but she's put that behind her this year.

The junior struggled through last season, after coming back too quickly from a broken leg by her own admission.

Profile

Hannah Markel

School: Rogers Heritage

Class: Junior

Height: 5-3

Position: Midfielder

Notable: Coming off a season in which she was slowed recovering from broken bones in her left leg, she has one goal and six assists heading into Friday’s 7A-West Conference match against Fort Smith Southside. … Had just one goal and two assists in 15 matches a year ago, after collecting six goals and seven assists as a freshman.

Heritage girls soccer coach Craig Frank said Markel's back to her old self this season though as a key facilitator for the Lady War Eagles attack occupying her right midfielder spot.

"The leg's healed, the timing's back," Frank said. "She's distributing well, controlling the ball and creating opportunities for us. Creating and distributing is her strength and that's what you need from that midfield spot. She can fire a shot when needed."

She has only one goal, but six assists already this season for the Lady War Eagles.

Markel showed her ability as a freshman, stepping into that midfielder position. She notched six goals and seven assists, but managed just one goal and two assists in 15 matches last year.

The 17-year-old now understands she returned too quickly from the injury, but she struggled to deal with her first major injury in her soccer career.

"I just really wanted to get back and start playing," Markel said. "It was so hard to be on the bench since I've always played. I felt some pressure to come back because the team didn't have anyone to play on the right side."

"I remember being in the game and thinking 'Why am I not really doing more?.' My speed just wasn't there."

Frank, who has dealt with injuries as a player and coach, said it's just something players have to understand for themselves.

"When you have the will and the drive and the passion, but the body is not cooperating, you have to make adjustments," Frank said. "For the first time in her soccer career she had to make adjustments but I think it helped make her stronger."

Markel is one of three team captains for the Lady War Eagles and the lone underclassmen. Frank said she was an obvious choice for her conduct on and off the field.

"She's a great example," Frank said. "I saw her leadership even as a freshman and she tried to be a leader even at half speed last year. It's a fine balance when you get to that junior and senior year trying to do maybe too much, but she does it very well on the field, in the classroom and in the charity work she does."

Markel has also learned several life lessons thanks to her work on a mission trip over spring break. She made her second trip in as many years to Guatemala a couple of weeks ago with a group from Fellowship Bible Church.

Mission work is another of her passions, which she picked up from her family. But it's taught her plenty, too, Markel said.

She spent time at an orphanage called Casa Aleluya where she helped dig trenches to install a sewer system and also worked with the children in the orphanage. Her time with one specific girl was memorable.

"Her story was heartbreaking and hard to listen to," Markel said. "Getting into drugs and alcohol at the age of seven. It was unbelievable. I had to ask her again. But she spoke very good English. But it moved me and let me know this was the person I am here to connect with."

Despite their struggles, the children's great attitudes are what stuck with Markel.

"These kids of all people would have reason to be hard-hearted, but they are all smiles," Markel said. "They show us how to love and forgive and my priorities, are ridiculous. When I see those kids that don't have anything we have and they are so joyful. I get upset over really petty things. It just really puts things in perspective."

Sports on 04/12/2015

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