Fantl earns honors in all facets of Hall life
By Lindsay Kosan

     When Ali Fantl started playing soccer in kindergarten, it would have been impossible for her to imagine how large a part it would play in her life. Beginning in the West Hartford recreational league, her skills improved rapidly.

     In the 4th grade, she made the town travel team. After playing in this more challenging league, she decided to take her

Photo courtesy of Ali Fantl

Fantl looks up the field for an open teammate during a recent scrimmage. The girls’ soccer season started yesterday.

game a step further. In 7th grade, she tried out for the Farmington Premiere Soccer team (a team which she is still a member).

     In the fall of her freshman year, Fantl tried out for the Hall girls’ soccer team. Fantl’s remarkable skills were clearly

recognized and her hard work rewarded, as she was one of only two freshmen who made the varsity team. Fantl excelled in her first two years on varsity, making All–Conference as a sophomore. As a junior, Fantl was selected as captain for the 2001 season.

     After an excellent season last year, Fantl returns as a captain in 2002 with great hopes for the team and a fantastic attitude. “Everyone is really excited about this season. We are going to do great. We didn’t lose a lot of players from last year so the team is mostly the same with some great new additions,” she comments.

     Her positive attitude is exceptionally inspiring, especially to the somewhat timid underclassmen. “Ali treats everyone really well,” freshman Amy L. says. “Her upbeat personality is very encouraging.”

     While having previously played stopper, this year Fantl might play a midfield position. She takes many of the team’s penalty kicks because of her strong and accurate shot.

     Fantl is also great at communicating with the team on and off the field.

     Junior Katie O. says, “Ali performs consistently well. She is always working really hard and is an excellent leader. Her communication with the team is very helpful and encouraging.”

     Senior Jenny H. agrees. “She treats everyone on the team equally,” she says. “She never acts superior or demeans freshmen.”

     Fantl says her greatest influences are coach Tammy O. and her parents.

     “Coach T. inspires me and all the players to do their best and work their hardest at all practices,” Fantl says. “My parents

Photo/Zak Shapiro

Ali Fantl is the captain of two sports, a member of two honor societies, and a member of Choraliers.

are very supportive and have never missed a game.”

     Fantl is a role model in her own right. Junior Emily S. says, “Ali is very motivational and is fun to play with because

she is a lively person who is genuinely interested in helping us improve. Her constructive criticism really benefits all of us as players.”

     Off the field, Fantl plays for Hall’s basketball and lacrosse teams. Last season, she scored 70 goals in lacrosse, a sport which she will also be captain of this year. Fantl made All-Conference as a sophomore and All–State as a junior.

     Besides sports, Fantl is extremely passionate about music. She has been singing for both the Hall Chorale and the Choraliers since her junior year.

     Academically, Fantl is a member of the National Honor Society and vice president of the French Honor Society.

     In the future, Fantl is hoping to continue her athletic career at a Division III college. A determined and persistent individual, she will likely reach this goal and succeed in everything she does.

     Fantl’s legacy in several aspects of Hall life will be as long-lasting as her athletic records.