Recent sports headlines with a Clinton County flavor

While the varsity sport of soccer is a relatively new addition to the Clinton County High School athletic offerings, it’s fan base has been growing ever since the sport was introduced on the varsity level here.

What most local players and fans probably missed, however, was an important accolade that was earned by a high school soccer player who is a member of the Louisville Trinity High School Soccer team with very close ties to Albany and Clinton County.

Sam Stockton, a senior for the Trinity Shamrocks, was named the 2014 Kentucky ‘Mr. Soccer’ in an announcement made by Trinity Athletic Director Rob Saxton.

Stockton is the grandson of Stanley and Gwen Stockton of Albany, and the late Becky Riddle Stockton. Stanley has been a long-time employee of the Albany office of Gaddie-Shamrock, a local rock quarry and paving business.

The current Mr. Soccer for Kentucky is the son of Jason and Kate Stockton, who live in Louisville with Sam’s sisters Janie and Lucy Stockton.

Stockton, a four-year varsity starter, had arguably his best season as a soccer Shamrock – also referred to as the Rocks – this past year while tallying 14 goals and adding 21 assists to lead the team in scoring. The senior team captain was already selected to the All-District, All-Region, and All-State teams for his efforts on the pitch and was also recognized as the Kentucky Offensive Player of the Year.

Stockton will be representing Trinity High School in the annual All-American game that will take place in Cary, North Carolina, in conjunction with the NCAA College Cup, on Dec. 13.

Stockton has signed with Indiana University next fall to play soccer for the Hoosiers.

Stanley Stockton was all that could be expected of a proud grandfather last week when he brought in newspaper clippings about his grandson to the office of the Clinton County News.

“I’ll be wearing an IU (Indiana) sweatshirt now,” Stockton said with a grin. “If he was your grandson, you would be too.”

Louisville Trinity High School senior Sam Stockton was named last month as Kentucky’s Mr. Soccer. He is the grandson of Clinton County residents Stanley and Gwen Stockton, and the late Becky Riddle Stockton.

Photo by Tommy McConville, courtesy the Trinity High School Echo