Connor Morrison, St. Thomas Academy“Connor is the most dedicated and optimistic player so far this year.”
School: STA
Grade: Senior
Team: Varsity Soccer
Position: Forward
Hometown: Mendota Heights
There’s something to be said about a player who holds one of the more glamorous positions, yet stands above the rest due to less prestigious reasons. Connor Morrison of Saint Thomas Academy High School in Mendota Heights plays forward for the Cadets’ soccer team. His coaches didn’t nominate the seventeen-year-old for athlete of the month because of the goals he scores or the assists he dishes (although he certainly does tally those), but for his attitude and work ethic instead.
“Connor is an extremely hard worker and focuses at practices,” says the Varsity Head Coach Julius Tangwe. “Connor is the most dedicated and optimistic player so far this year.”
Connor’s dedication to the sport started young and consequently, he’s extremely comfortable with Minnesota soccer fields; he’s been playing on them since a little boy of 5, when his dad coached him on a Mendota Heights team.
“My father introduced me to soccer and has been to a majority of my games, along with my mother, ever since.”
His road has been almost all soccer since them. Nine years later, Connor has a few teams and many victories under his belt. Like many of his fellow Cadets, he spent years playing for the Sibley Area Sting—plus the Oryx in Cottage Grove, where he also played for a stint—and then took to the STA fields in middle school. That’s where fans can find this 5’10” speedy forward playing hard and scoring goals, not to mention, setting a superior standard for fellow cadets.
“My experience attending Saint Thomas Academy has been a great one. I have been attending Saint Thomas since seventh grade and each year brings more and more great experiences that I will always remember.”
Asked to recall a few, Connor brings up his team’s 4th place soccer finish in state last year. In true modest fashion, supporting fellow Cadets seems to equal his own accomplishments: watching STA win the state high school hockey tournament (in full military regalia, no doubt) and attending the Friday night football games every year are other highlights. His heart will always lie with soccer though.
“The team is coached by two dedicated men who really excel at their job, (Julius) Tangwe and Vincent (Edet). I feel privileged to be able to go to such a great high school such as Saint Thomas, and play soccer for them.”
It can be assumed without asking that STA is just as proud to have him.
The Cadets compete Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus a few Saturdays, in the Classic Suburban Conference. Their home field is STA’s Gerry Brown Stadium, also quarters for the football team. Connor can be found in the front line, leading the team he holds with such high regard.
“The Cadets have a lot of talent at the defense, mid-field and forward positions, and the future for Saint Thomas looks promising.”
