By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Toney named all-state again
Katie BEST.jpg
WCHS Lady Pioneer junior Katie Toney, right, has earned all-state recognition for the second straight year.

Katie Toney is going to need a bigger trophy case.

For the second straight year, Toney has earned all-state recognition for her dazzling play on the soccer field. 

Toney helped to guide Warren County High School to an undefeated record in district competition and the regular-season district championship. 

“I am very excited for Katie and appreciate all she does to make herself and her teammates better,” said WCHS soccer coach Todd Willmore. “She is one of the hardest working student-athletes I have ever been associated with and is very deserving of this honor. She does all of this with humility. She is truly an exceptional student-athlete. I am very proud to be her coach.”

A junior, Toney finished as the team leader with 28 goals and 18 assists. Those totals weren’t just team-highs for Warren County. They also led the district and the region, Willmore says. 

According to MaxPreps, Toney was fourth in total points in the entire state. She was fifth in goals scored and fourth in assists.

Toney’s combination of speed, dribbling skills, and determination make her a tough player to stop. Toney is always the focal point for opposing defenses, yet she’s still able to thrive despite all the efforts made to slow her down.

The Lady Pioneers finished the season 13-6 and had COVID troubles hit the team at exactly the wrong time. In its region tournament game against McMinn County, a 3-1 loss to end the season, Warren County only dressed 13 players due to quarantine issues.

Toney earned all-state honors in 2019 when she scored 28 goals and had 13 assists.

There will be high expectations for the Lady Pioneer soccer team next year in what will be Tony’s senior season. All three of Warren County’s all-region performers are scheduled to return.

Bekah Jackson, a high-scoring sophomore who finished with 20 goals and 12 assists, and Shelby Roberts, the anchor of the defense, are all-region players expected to solidify a roster filled with talent.

Bailey Bundy, Carmen Verdel, Jaden Smartt, Natalie Stepien, Breezy Wanamaker, Savannah Winfree and keeper Samantha McCormick are among the players coach Willmore expects to be key contributors next year. Willmore also listed Jessica Chastain, Ashlyn Fults and Hailey Simpson as players who logged quality minutes down the stretch.