When it comes to soccer and football, Wichita Kapaun’s Anthony Cantele certainly can’t kick about the opportunities both sports have afforded him.
The three-time all-city, all-region, and all-state soccer star has not only earned a soccer scholarship at Missouri State University, his kicking prowess on the football field has earned him a spot on the 2008 Kansas Shrine Bowl West Squad. In his senior year, Cantele was successful on 8 of 10 field goal attempts and 29 of 31 extra points, besides handling kickoff and punting duties for the Crusaders.
The 2008 Shrine Bowl will be played beginning at 7 p.m. July 26 at Welch Stadium on the Emporia State University campus.
Cantele said soccer has always been his first love — he began playing at the age of 3 — but decided to expand his athletic experience when he got to high school.
“I still loved soccer,” he said, “but decided to try something else. My dad was a high school kicker, and suggested I try it. Playing soccer really helped, since I had the natural motion (of kicking) already down.”
His soccer experience has no doubt helped him as a football player, but has playing football helped his soccer game?
“A little bit, in terms of the pressure. There’s more pressure in football. I would get one or two chances to kick field goals, plus extra points, every game. Handling that pressure came over into soccer, especially in situations where the game was tied and I needed to make a big play.”
Cantele and his soccer mates made plenty of big plays during the 2007 soccer season. Kapaun finished with a glossy 17-4 record and a second-place finish in the 5A playoffs, losing to St. Thomas Aquinas 1-0 in the 5A state finals. His football team also enjoyed a good year, finishing 6-4 and making the 5A playoffs, where they lost to Salina Central in the first round.
His success on the soccer field and in the classroom has led him to organize a soccer clinic for younger players. He was inspired to start the clinic by a high school teacher in a program offered by just a handful of Kansas High Schools called Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas (YEK).
“My teacher told us we should organize a business around somesaidthing we love,” he said. “I enjoy helping kids learn and improve, and passing along the things that I’ve learned.”
Cantele credits his high school coach, 2005 Kansas Shrine Bowl West head coach Dan Adlehardt, with encouraging and helping him along the way to becoming a good kicker.
“Coach says he doesn’t know much about kicking, but he’s always trying to learn at coaching clinics, and passing the information to me,” he said.
As for college, the four-year Kapaun honor roll student has already enrolled and is ready to attend Missouri State in the fall, where he will play soccer and prepare for a career as a strength and conditioning coach.
About the Bowl
Proceeds from all Shrine Bowl events support the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 hospitals that provide expert, no-cost orthopedic, burn, and spinal care to children under 18. Children are admitted free to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Advance reserved chairback tickets for the game cost $20. Adult general admission tickets are $9 in advance. Student tickets (K-12) are $5 in advance.
Other Shrine Bowl events scheduled in Emporia on July 26 include: an open 5K Road Race that includes 60 cross country all-star runners; a one-mile Fun Run/Walk; a giant Shrine parade; an arts and crafts fair; a kids’ fair; a high school combine; a poker run for bikes, autos and trucks; and a free fashion show.
For information or tickets, call the Shrine Bowl office at (800) 530-5524.
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