After five years of serving as a WCHS soccer assistant coach, Kimberly Smith has been named the WCHS head soccer coach for the Lady Pioneers.

“I’m excited but a little nervous being my first time as a head coach,” she said. “But Todd has taught me a lot.”

Smith will take over as head coach after Todd Willmore stepped down and moved on to be the middle school coach. Smith assisted under Willmore and played soccer all through high school for the Lady Pioneers before playing collegiately at Tennessee Temple University and Bryan College.

WCHS conducted girls soccer tryouts on Thursday and Smith is ready to see how the Lady Pioneers perform next year under her guidance. Since she has been an assistant coach, she is very familiar with many players who tried out.

“They were very excited which made me excited,” said Smith.

She added that roughly 30 girls tried out for the squad. A couple couldn’t make it to tryouts and will try out later this week. As of now, though, Smith has chosen her roster for the 2022 fall season. Returning senior Bekah Jackson was named as an all-state player and is decorated with other awards. She has a cannon for a leg and should be one of the main offensive threats for the team. Smith also mentioned Savannah Winfree, Carmen Verdel and Hailey Simpson as players to watch on what is shaping up as a talented squad. Coach Smith is especially excited to have three goalkeepers to choose from in the upcoming season.

Brooklyn Wanamaker got a bulk of playing time in goal for the Lady Pioneers last year and showed she can handle the job. Samantha McCormick was the starting goalie her sophomore season before leaving the team her junior year. She returns as a senior.

Callie Roberts is athletic and has also shown she can play in goal too. She was the starting keeper in middle school.

“I’m ready to see how it goes being a head coach,” Smith said. “I’m excited to get to watch them succeed.”