Courtney Jones is a kind of veteran rookie, if that makes any sense at all. As one of the few college players present at the U18/U20 Women’s National Team camp at Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California, she brings a unique perspective.

The North Carolina forward was a member of the Tar Heels National Championship team a couple of months ago, playing alongside the likes of Casey Nogueira and Yael Averbuch, so in terms of experience she has a serious leg up on the majority of the 48 players present in the pool.

But in terms of National Team experience, Jones is a little wet behind the ears in comparison to some of her younger counterparts.

“The last national camp I was at was U14,” Jones said, with a grin. “I broke my ankle my freshman year in high school and kind of fell off the radar a little bit.  I know a lot of girls that have been on the teams, so I saw my friends go through it and I just never got back up to that level.”

It had to be a humbling experience for Jones, being tagged with early promise only to find herself detoured through a longer path.

Jones, from Danville, California, developed as a member of the Mustang Soccer Club. She played on USYS Regional teams, won a state cup and traveled to Italy with one of her elite squads.

None of it compared to her brush with the national team, though.

“It’s every girls dream to be on the national team,” she said. “After my injury, things just kind of slowed for me.”

They picked up again when Jones began training for college. Having the opportunity to compete in a new challenging arena, and gauging herself against players who had been to national camps did a lot for her confidence, and game.

“I know, and played with tons of national team players that were on the U20s and just recently won the World Cup,” Jones said. “It was a really good experience for me.”

And now it’s all come full circle for Jones, and watching her take part in the elite camp once again, it’s clear to see how much she appreciates the opportunity.

Jones showcased her outside speed and striking ability on several occasions during the week. But most of all, she displayed a genuine joy to be present at the camp.

“Getting the call in to play for the camp was like a dream come true,” she said. “I had fallen off, and just to get another look again was good. I know a lot of these younger girls – some of them have stayed with me on recruiting trips. It’s fun to see them play and improve. Once they hit college it’s going to be an eye-opener for all of them.”

Jones may not have entered the camp as touted as say Kristen Mewis, Amber Brooks, Victoria DiMartino or Courtney Verloo, but she has a lot to offer her young peers in skill and knowledge.  

“A lot of kids play when they’re young and peaking,” Jones said. “But to get a chance to play in college and then on the national team you have more experience, and you feel more ready for the experience.

“Everything happens for a reason. As long as I’m here.”

 

U.S. Under-20 & Under-18 WNT Super Camp Roster (Courtesy of US Soccer)

Chula Vista, Calif.
Jan. 25 – Feb. 1, 2009
GOALKEEPERS (7): Bianca Henniger (Los Gatos, Calif.), Alexa Gaul (Naperville, Ill.), Jillian Mastroianni (Durham, Conn.), Emily Oliver (Flossmoor, Ill.), Anna Sieloff (Troy, Mich.), Taylor Vancil (South Elgin, Ill.), Kelsey Wys (Coral Springs, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (12): Tori Allen (Stafford, Va.), Amber Brooks (New Hope, Pa.), Danielle Brunache (Belmont, Calif.), Cloee Colohan (West Point, Utah), Crystal Dunn (Rockville Centre, N.Y.), Alexis Harris (Plano, Texas), Meagan Morris (Montclair, N.J.), Megan Oyster (Naperville, Ill.), Mollie Pathman (Durham, N.C.), Bailey Powell (Fayetteville, Ga.), Rachel Quon (Lake Forest, Ill.), Whitney Sharpe (West Des Moines, Iowa)
MIDFIELDERS (16): Zakiya Bywaters (Las Vegas, Nev.), Chelsea Cline (Fairbault, Minn.), Elizabeth Eddy (Costa Mesa, Calif.), Danielle Hubka (Strongsville, Ohio), Olivia Klei (Pleasanton, Calif.), Mandy Laddish (Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Camille Levin (Newport Coast, Calif.), Kristen Mewis (Hanson, Mass.), Samantha Mewis (Hanson, Mass.), Jazmin Ponce (Lawndale, Calif.), Jenna Richmond (Centerville, Va.), Casey Short (Naperville, Ill.), Claire Stachel (Grand Rapids, Mich.), Wendy Travis (Cary, N.C.), Erika Tymrak (Bradenton, Fla.), Allie Vernon, (Homer Glen, Ill.)
FORWARDS (13): Lauren Alwine (Elizabethtown, Pa.), Hayley Brock (Acton, Mass.), Kelly Cobb (Chugiak, Alaska), Tani Costa (Honolulu, Hawaii), Vicki DiMartino (Massapequa, N.Y.), Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.), Courtney Jones (Danville, Calif.), Tiffany McCarty (Laurel, Md.), Kealia Ohai (Draper, Utah), Alev Kelter-Perusse (Eagle River, Alaska), Toni Pressley (Melbourne, Fla.), Chioma Ubogagu (Coppel, Texas), Courtney Verloo (Tualatin, Ore.)