Why multitasking has not been an issue for three talented Ames girls soccer players

Ames girls soccer players Selah Helgeson, Angelica Attinger and Kiersten Hinson have been busy the past month and a half.

Helgeson and Attinger play soccer and run hurdles in track and field. They both won conference track and field championships in the shuttle hurdle relay over the past two days.

Hinson stepped up as a big contributor for the Little Cyclones on the soccer field despite having to learn multiple positions as a freshman.

Even with those big loads to carry, all three players have stood out on the soccer field this season.

Helgeson is from Roland-Story. She was part of the Norse shuttle hurdle team that took first during the Heart of Iowa Conference meet Thursday.

Attinger helped Ames win the girls shuttle hurdle at the Iowa Alliance Conference meet earlier on Friday.

They both suited up for the Ames girls soccer team Friday night during a 2-0 loss to No. 12 Mason City.

“I’m really proud of them putting in all the time it takes to do two sports and being successful at both sports,” said Ames girls soccer coach Bobby Myers. “They had a good conference (track) day.”

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Helgeson has been a huge addition to Ames this season.

Roland-Story does not have a girls soccer program, so Helgeson played club ball at Gilbert last year as a freshman. As a sophomore, she decided to give high school soccer a try and Ames welcomed her with open arms.

“All of the Ames girls have been super kind and open to me,” Helgeson said. “I came in not knowing anyone, so that was really nice.”

Attinger is especially excited to have not only another dual-sport athlete on the team, but someone else who is also successful running the hurdles in track.

“Selah was a surprise,” Attinger said. “It was great that she came over because her speed is really nice to have. Because we run track, I think our speed has really helped us out in soccer. This year our attacking third has gotten a lot better.”

Helgeson leads the Little Cyclones in scoring with 14 goals.

“She’s an interesting face because she is not from Ames,” Myers said. “That’s kind of new and different for us, but she gives us a ton of speed and a lot of fight. As a forward, I want them to be like that.”

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Helgeson got that fight through her years in club ball. She had to battle against boys playing on a co-ed team at Gilbert.

"It was really aggressive,” Helgeson said. “I’m used to having to go out and be strong.”

Myers has used Helgeson a lot up front with Attinger, who has five goals and two assists in seven games. But with Helgeson and Attinger not always able to play games due to their track commitments, Myers slipped Hinson into the offensive mix, and she has responded with six goals on the season.

“It’s always a pleasure to have youngins come in and contribute to the team,” Myers said. “She keeps doing it every day. I’ve played her at every position, and she just does good everywhere. She does good everywhere she’s at.”

Like Helgeson, Hinson came to the team from club ball. She too has taken on a lot, with Myers playing her at forward, midfield and on defense.

"Coming from a club to high school is a totally different experience," Hinson said. "You’re going from playing with people your age to playing with people who could be four years older than you. You have to learn how to be a lot quicker and faster.”

Attinger is impressed with how well Hinson has handled the pressure of having to play multiple positions as a freshman.

“Kiersten has really stepped up as a freshman,” Attinger said. “She’s really capable.”

While Hinson helps hold the fort on the soccer field, Helgeson and Attinger are going to have a lot coming at them over the next few weeks. They have their state qualifier track and field meets next week, followed by the state track meet from May 16-18.

“My mom told me it was going to be really busy, but I didn’t expect it to be this busy,” Helgeson said. “It’s been a lot, but I’ve adjusted to it, so it’s been good."

Then all three girls will try and help Ames (6-6) qualify for the state soccer tournament for the first time since winning it all in 3A during the 2017 season.

Helgeson is ready to put it all on the line during the next month.

“It’s crazy that it’s coming to an end already, but I want to finish strong,” Helgeson said. “I plan on going to state for track, and hopefully get to state for soccer. I’ve got to give it my all for the next month and then summer!”

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com . Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Why multitasking has not been an issue for three talented Ames girls soccer players