Soccer runs deep through this family
Coeur d’Alene High senior Erika Skindlov is a captain of the Viking girls soccer team this fall.
Her older brothers, Gunnar and Konar, also were captains when they played at Coeur d’Alene High — Gunnar in 2014, Konar in ’15.
But, according to information sent to us by their grandmother, Luella Stilley, the soccer ties run even deeper in the family.
GUNNAR SKINDLOV was on the Coeur d’Alene varsity all four season. As a sophomore in 2012, he suffered a torn meniscus. As a senior, he earned all-5A Inland Empire League honors. he went on to play at North Idaho College and is now attending the University of Idaho, majoring in secondary education and hoping someday to be a teacher and coach soccer in the Northwest.
KONAR SKINDLOV joined his brother on the varsity as a sophomore in 2013. He was also an all-league selection as a senior, and a valedictorian at graduation. Konar is playing soccer at Carroll College in Helena, Mont., majoring in chemistry and considering pursuing a master’s degree.
“Coaching the Skindlov brothers was one of the highlights of my 14-year coaching career,” former Coeur d’Alene High boys coach Jeff Lake said. “I had the opportunity to know them at a very young age, and I have had the pleasure to witness them age and mature into amazing young adults. The wins and losses of my soccer coaching career are second to the relationships that I formed with my student-athletes, and I formed no closer relationships than with the Skindlov brothers.
They both served as captains during their senior seasons ... and their actions and direction were a guide and model for all future captains of the CHS program. Both Gunnar and Konar are brilliant on and off the soccer field, they have a relentless passion for life, and a compassion for others. They are more than former players, they are close friends of mine.”
ERIKA SKINDLOV has been on the Viking varsity since her freshman season. She was selected to play on an Eastern Washington travel team, and was an all-league selection each of the past two seasons. She was also an all-state pick last fall. Erika has committed to play soccer at NAIA Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, where she plans to major in biology in hopes of becoming a veterinarian.
“I’ve had the honor to coach all three Skindlovs in club and high school soccer and it’s no surprise all three have and will go on to play at the next level in college,” Coeur d’Alene girls soccer coach Andy Vredenburg said. “I remember seeing Erika almost every time I was on a soccer field when she was just 5 or 6 juggling, working on her moves or playing with her brothers. That work ethic and passion for the game, instilled by her brothers, has never left her and is a part of who Erika is. Erika never turns down an opportunity to learn or work on her game. Erika gives her heart and soul to the game, her teammates and truly leads by example.”
THERE’S MORE.
According to Luella, Gunnar, Konar and Erika’s two uncles have been soccer players since age 9. Erik Harsch played four years for Michigan State and continues to play in a men’s league in Southern California. Jim Elie opted to be a foreign-exchange student in Germany during high school but he didn’t leave soccer behind and played for his German high school.
The kids’ mother, Jilara Skindlov, played in a women’s league while in high school in Iowa because they didn’t have high school soccer at that time. Luella played in a women’s league in Orange County, Calif. She moved to Iowa and still wanted to keep playing soccer, so she founded the first Iowa women’s soccer league.
Can’t imagine what kind of games these guys all play when they get together for a family reunion.
Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.