By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Kelsey Mullen of Okemos, 14-year-old daughter of Jeff and Julie Mullen and granddaughter of Robert and Dot Mullen, Dowagiac, tried out for the U.S. under-17 National Soccer Team in California last week after shining in Regional Olympic Development Program camps.
If chosen for the 25-player National Team roster, Kelsey would compete for the United States in international youth soccer tournaments around the world.
Tryouts took place at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Kelsey, who plays on the CA United Soccer Club of Lansing, was the only mid-Michigan teen chosen for her age group to compete for a berth on the 18- to 22-player squad.
"She's one of the best players I've ever coached," Coach Dan Jury told the Lansing State Journal. "Kelsey can do just about any move at top speed, which makes her really dangerous as a forward."
The newspaper also quoted 14-year-old teammate Bridget Bienz, a defensive sweeper, "She's so good. She'll take on anybody."
Kelsey, who will be freshman at Okemos High School, said, "It feels really good to know that I'm one of the top soccer players."
She started playing at 5 and aspires to be a professional soccer player.
Making the national team means having a shot at making the Olympics someday.
The U.S. team typically consists of all the adult women from the national team.