Three from Powell sign to play college soccer
By Steve Williams
Three Powell High girls soccer players have signed scholarship papers to play on the college level starting next season.
Ciarrah Turner will be going to Johnson University, while Makhira Ralston and Savannah Kerns will be headed to Roane State Community College.
Their signing ceremony was held last Monday (April 29) in the Powell library.
Head coaches from both colleges – Todd Halliburton from JU and Donnie Green from RSCC – attended the signing and spoke at the ceremony. Roane State Assistant Coach Nathan Worley also was present.
Last season’s head coach at Powell, Zinyor Babiker, no longer has that position.
Victoria Weinhandl, the PHS head coach for three seasons (2020 through 2022), attended the ceremony and commented on her former players.
“I loved coaching all three and they all improved in their own way,” said Weinhandl, who now is with the One Knox Youth Club and director of the girls 9V9.
Powell lost in the District 3-3A semifinals in 2023. In the fall of 2021, when the three signees were sophomores, they won the district championship.
Turner, who plays the center back and outside back positions, was a second team All-District player for three years.
Ralston was second team All-District her junior and senior seasons and plays the left back position on defense.
Kerns, who plays midfield, said she earned All-District second team honors her freshman and sophomore years.
All three signees were asked separately what they were looking forward to the most in playing soccer at the college level.
“Just the high intensity,” said Turner. “Getting to work with all the girls that are at a higher level than me. And getting to experience a different coaching staff.”
Ciarrah added: “I want to thank all my coaches and my family and the people that pushed me to do this.”
“I’m looking to meeting new teammates and growing even stronger together,” said Ralston.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know new people and playing with them and learning things from my coaches and my teammates,” answered Kerns.
Turner said she plans to major in psychology, while Ralston said she will major in Business Administration. Kerns plans to major in Pre-Professional Vet.
