Kelli Stewart (Kamiak High School) and Kristi Kingma (Jackson High School) are excellent goal scorers, but that’s just one of many connections between the standout soccer players.
They share the same birthday (April 23), they played sports together when they were kids and they plan to accept athletic scholarships to play for the University of Washington — Stewart for soccer and Kingma for basketball. The Western Conference South Division foes even hope to room together next fall at the UW.
Tonight they clash on the soccer field for what’s likely the final time in their prep careers. It’s a huge game: first-place Jackson (12-0-1) can clinch a league title and an automatic Class 4A state tournament berth with a victory over second-place Kamiak (10-2-1).
On the eve of their Wesco South showdown, here’s what Kingma and Stewart said during an interview at Jackson High about each other and the importance of tonight’s contest.
QUESTION: What was your first impression of each other?
Kingma: You know how when you grow up there’s always that one person that you say, ‘I have to stop that person.’ That was Kelli. (The girls met when they were both age 11; Kingma played select soccer for Snohomish United and Stewart played for Shooting Stars.)
Stewart: It was the same way for me with her: ‘Watch Kristi!’
QUESTION: A few years later you played together for Snohomish United in some soccer tournaments and also on a select basketball team. Did you become friends quickly?
Kingma: We found out we have the same birthday and that’s what started it. So we were like, ‘Oh, that’s really cool.’ Kelli’s really easy to get along with.
QUESTION: What do you admire most about each other’s ability?
Kingma: Kelli’s always been the same. She’s always been able to shoot from anywhere.
Stewart: She’s always the most athletic one on the field, no matter what — always the fastest.
Kingma: There’s never been that awkward (competitiveness). Our schools are obviously rivals, but we’re not rivals.
QUESTION: How did you each decide to verbally commit to Washington?
Kingma: I decided in January, and then one more morning (in April) my mom was like, ‘Kristi, you’re never gonna believe who committed to the UW for soccer: It’s Kelli.’ I was like, ‘Oh my god! I have to be roommates with her.’
Stewart: I knew (Kingma) had signed with the UW before I made my decision. I made my decision mostly for the same reasons. It’s close and it fit.
QUESTION: What are your thoughts heading into the big Kamiak versus Jackson soccer game?
Stewart: This game is like the culmination of our entire youth all put into one game, ‘cause it’s our senior year and it’s me against Kristi. It’s one of my last senior home games and high school soccer is one of my favorite things in the world. It’s just so much fun. There’s no pressure and you can go out and play with your friends. But it’s the biggest game because there’s a lot riding on it.
Kingma: It’s the last time I’ll ever play Kamiak so it’ll probably be the last time Kelli and I will ever play against each other.
QUESTION: Entering the Kamiak vs. Jackson game, Kelli has 21 goals this season and Kristi has 18. Who is the better scorer?
Kingma: Kelli! If you (pass) the ball by her feet, 10 times out of 10 she’s gonna score.
Stewart: And then if the ball’s in the air, it’s Kristi. (Kingma is 5-foot-10 and Stewart is 5-7.)
Kingma: I’ve got the aerial advantage because I’m like 3 inches taller than everyone else.
NOTE: The attached photo shows Kingma and Stewart at age 12 wearing their medals after playing in a youth soccer tourney in Portland.
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