Ankeny star Lucas Newhard has been named the 2021-22 Gatorade Iowa Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Newhard, who led the Hawks to a 19-2 record and an appearance in the Class 3A state tournament, said he did not expect to win the honor.
“My reaction when I found out I won was that I was surprised–based on all the good players nominated for this award,” said Newhard. “But getting this award wouldn’t have been possible without my teammates and the coaching staff. It shows that all of our hard work paid off, although the season didn’t end as we would have wanted it to.”
Newhard, who is home-schooled, joined the Ankeny squad for his senior season and led his team to the CIML Iowa Conference title. The Hawks advanced to the state tournament before losing to Waukee Northwest, 2-1, in the quarterfinals.
Newhard scored a school-record 36 goals and also had nine assists. He had multiple goals in 13 of the 21 games, including two in a victory against crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial on May 3, when he scored the winning goal in overtime to surpass the previous Ankeny record of 28 goals.
“Lucas Newhard was an absolute terror on the field this year,” said Centennial coach Brian Duax. “I had a complete game plan for him that worked except for two moments. And he scored both times.”
Newhard has volunteered locally doing yard work for the elderly, and he has donated his time as a youth soccer coach. He has maintained a 3.33 GPA in the classroom.
Newhard is the first player from Ankeny to win the Gatorade award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. He is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced later this month.
“I will remember a lot from this season, but the most memorable will be getting back together and playing with old teammates for my senior year and the great season we had,” said Newhard, who will play for Grand View in the fall.