honor in soccer . Her teammates also voted her “ Rookie of the Year ” as a freshman and “ Best Offensive Player ” as a junior .
“ Dixon has made a huge contribution to our program and to the success of other players on the team ,” says Peter Torres , the Foxes ’ head soccer coach . “ Her strengths are her ability to win headers , see the field , and make the correct decisions with her passes . She knows where to pass it and how to pass it , and defenders have a difficult time guarding her because she is always moving . She will be remembered as one of Fox Chapel Area ’ s top players .”
Plunging into Winter Sports
As Dixon hangs up her well-worn soccer cleats , she barely has time before moving along to her winter sports , diving and gymnastics . In sharp contrast to her tough and gritty play on the field , her winter sports are all about precision , power , body control , grace , and beauty . Her favorite dive , a somersault with two twists , was part of her set that qualified her for the WPIAL championship this season and last year as well .
“ Dixon has incredible natural ability and is probably the best all-around athlete I have ever seen in my many years as a competitor and coach ,” marvels Vernon Yenick , her Foxes ’ diving coach . “ She has been a top performer and a leader on the diving team , and is great at motivating her teammates .”
When Dixon added gymnastics to her repertoire in 10th grade , it was just a natural extension of diving , and with only three practices a week , she found it was possible to squeeze in that sport as well . She ’ s a mainstay on the squad and an all-around performer , meaning she competes on the balance beam , uneven parallel bars , floor exercise , and vault . Even with limited practice time , Dixon is a two-time WPIAL championship qualifier .
As Fast as They Come
Part of Dixon ’ s extraordinary quickness in soccer comes from years of running track as well as natural athleticism . She first started running in middle school and still holds the record there in the 800-meter run . Now , as the anchor for the high school ’ s 4x800 relay team , Dixon has proven she ’ s not only fast , but according to her coach Tom Moul , “ If she took the baton in second place , I usually could count on her running down the person in front of her to give her team the first-place finish .”
That relay team qualified for the PIAA track championship last season and she also qualified individually for the WPIAL championship in the 800-meter event . Coach Moul expects she will do a repeat performance in the upcoming season .
An Inspiration
Dixon ’ s dedication to performing at the top of her game is innate . She ’ s always been competitive and expects a lot from herself and her teammates . But she ’ s also infused that burning desire with a hefty sense of humor and leadership skills that drive others to believe in her .
As far as her own inspiration , one person she credits is brilliant soccer player Crystal Dunn , a former star for the University of North Carolina and a member of the U . S . Women ’ s National Team . “ She inspires you to never stop working hard until you get what you want ,” Dixon says .
It ’ s that very mindset that fuels her belief that all things are possible through hard work and dedication . It has served Dixon well these past four years , as it will in her future endeavors , and has resulted in an enduring legacy as one of the very best all‐around athletes in the history of Fox Chapel Area High School athletics . ox Chapel Area FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL NEWS
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