1/16/2008
By CONOR NICHOLL
Hays Daily News
Betsy Dreiling wants to be an EMT and was planning on playing soccer in college, and Barton Community College was the perfect fit. Dreiling can take classes in EMT and paramedic training and continue her soccer career.
On Tuesday morning, she made that decision official. A Hays High senior, Dreiling signed her letter intent at the Hays High cafeteria with her teammates, parents, Indians athletic director Clint Albers, and Hays High soccer coach Chris Michaelis present.
Michaelis said Dreiling is similar to the other Indians who have signed to play collegiate soccer.
"They come into the program with great work ethic and any time you are going to go on and play collegiately, you have to have great work ethic," Michaelis said. "She has that.
"Just like any other athlete, it's that fine line between cockiness and confidence. I don't feel that she displays the cockiness, but she has the confidence and the ability."
Dreiling earned second team all-state last spring and scored 10 goals as a forward.
"She has got good ball skills," Michaelis said. "She has the confidence on the ball to do some things that a lot of other players may not have the confidence in doing. ... She has the ability as a forward to beat players 1-on-1 and create some scoring opportunities."
"I have quickness," Dreiling added.
Dreiling, whose sister played college soccer, talked to several other colleges, including Div. II Washburn University and Brown Mackie.
However, she became the sixth girl and eighth Indian to ink a letter of intent to Barton CC in the 11-year Michaelis era.
"They are beginning to establish themselves in the soccer world and becoming a very competitive team at the junior college ranks," Michaelis said. "... The women's program is making huge strides right now."
Sports reporter Conor Nicholl 
can be reached at (785) 628-1081 Ext. 127 or at
cnicholl@dailynews.net.