Columbia River boys soccer standout Alex Harris is one of 24 high school players nationwide named to the All-USA Today High School Sports Awards boys soccer team.
Harris is one of just three juniors on the team. The rest were seniors this past season.
On July 31, USA Today will name its high school boys soccer player of the year and three finalists.
The honor follows a breakout season for the River forward. Harris scored 51 goals, leading the Rapids to a 23-1 record and third place in the Class 2A state tournament.
Harris tallied 10 hat tricks (three goals in a game) and scored eight of River’s 12 goals in the state tournament. He’s the program’s all-time leading scorer with 58 goals.
Harris was named the Gatorade State Player of the Year for boys soccer in June. He was also The Columbian’s All-Region boys soccer player of the year.
Earlier in July, Harris was selected as a United Soccer Coaches All-American, one of just four juniors of the 22 players chosen.
In June, Columbia River head coach Filly Afenegus told The Columbian that Harris stepped up as leader in addition to scoring goals.
“I’ve had juniors in years past that just weren’t quite ready and maybe didn’t even necessarily feel comfortable in that role,” Afenegus said. “But Alex was somebody who you could tell from day one he wanted to be recognized as not only a good soccer player, but also a great leader as well.”
This summer, Harris is competing with the Washington Timbers and recently competed in U17 national club playoffs in San Diego.
This week, Harris will return to San Diego to compete in the 2022 Surf College Cup, regarded as a top showcase event for potential college players.
