Waterford Valley High School star Alyssa Jenkins of St. John’s will be bringing a new look to Memorial University sports in the fall after committing to the Sea-Hawks last week.
Jenkins, 18, will not only be suiting up for one varsity squad, but two Memorial teams.
“I chose Memorial as the Sea-Hawks gave me the opportunity to play both varsity basketball and soccer, two sports I would never have been able to choose between,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins is a rare breed — a two-sport athlete to join the Sea-Hawks.
The last true duel-sport star was Victoria Thistle, who was an Atlantic University Sport first-team all-star in basketball around 2008-09 and 2009-10, and just as dominant on the soccer pitch.
Of course, they’re the two sports Jenkins plans on playing this season. She said hoops coach Mark English and soccer coach Mike Power are more than accommodating to ensure her busy schedule will mesh in 2020-21. She will study business at Memorial.
A guard on the basketball court, Waterford Valley won the Hall of Fame Cup tournament the past two years, and Jenkins was the MVP on both occasions.
On the soccer pitch, she’s played on provincial teams and is part of the Whitecaps Academy Center.
She represented the St. John’s Soccer Club, winning provincial titles and competing at the national championships on several occasions.
She joins her sister, Kristen, on the Sea-Hawks.
In addition to enjoying her university career at home, Jenkins joins a couple of competitive Memorial programs.
The basketball team reached the AUS semifinal this season after finishing third in the regular season. Memorial made the conference final in 2019.
As for the soccer team, it’s come close, but hasn’t gotten past the semifinal hurdle, losing in semis the past six years.
“We’re extremely excited to have Alyssa join our program,” said English. “What stands out immediately is her competitive nature. Work ethic and desire to win are something we really look for when recruiting, and Alyssa demonstrates both of those characteristics. We are looking forward to get to work with her.”
“Alyssa is a terrific athlete, with great presence,” said soccer coach Power. “She is a true box-to-box midfielder who can pitch in at both ends of the park.
“Her ability to be a duel sport athlete at the varsity level is impressive, and speaks to her dedication.”
The soccer teams kicks off its 2020 season at home Sept. 12 against the Mount Allison Mounties.
