East Chapel Hill soccer midfielder Katie Walter became the only player from an NCHSAA school named last week to the 2009 NSCAA/adidas Girls High School Scholar All-America Team, as announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association.

"I'm really happy and excited for Katie," said East Chapel Hill soccer coach Mark Kadlecik. "She was the conference player of the year and all-state her freshman year, then she was hurt her sophomore year. That was really frustrating for her, but she bounced back last year with a great attitude.

"This is a testament to her work ethic and her character. She can be quiet a lot of the time, but she brings everything she's got to every game."

Last spring, Walter was named to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association's 2009 Women's All-State Team as a junior, along with 2009 senior Molly Hrudka and junior Taylor Boone. Walter, a 2010 senior who first earned all-state honors as a ninth-grader, tallied six goals and six assists from her midfield position for a defensive-minded East Chapel Hill team that finished 21-2-2 and ranked No. 5 in the coaches' final poll last spring.

Walter also played on East Chapel Hill's last two state championship teams in field hockey.

Walter is the fourth East Chapel Hill soccer player to earn a place on the NSCAA all-scholar team, which previously included Sterling Smith (2004), Morven Ross (2005) and Molly Hrudka (2008).

"All of these kids set goals above and beyond most," Kadlecik said. "On and off the field, there's never a challenege they won't meet."

Defender Kelsey Zalimeni and forward Mollie Pathman, both of Durham Academy, were the only other North Carolinians on the 2009 Scholar All-American team. Pathman, a four-time NSCAA/adidas All-Region selection was named the 2009 NSCAA/adidas Girls High School Scholar Athlete of the Year. Pathman is the NCSCA's 2009 North Carolina Player of the Year; she maintains a 5.08 weighted grade point average and currently is enrolled in five advanced placement classes.

The NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-America selections will be recognized at the annual All-America Luncheon, held in Philadelphia, Pa., on Jan. 16 as part of the 2010 NSCAA Convention.