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Republic senior Clara Fronabarger is a multi-sport athlete, but her love for soccer trumps all.
“When she came in she was a special player and she just really did great things for us,” said Republic soccer coach Kevin Hauck.
When Clara Fronabarger joined the Republic soccer team as a freshman, she was on track to shatter the school scoring record.
“I love scoring, there’s definitely a different satisfaction when you get an assist because you not only get your personal joy, but you get to see the look of joy on other people’s faces,” said Republic senior Clara Fronabarger.
“When she came in she was extremely competitive; she would challenge the older girls to work harder,” Hauck said.
23 goals in 19 games as a freshman, and 20 goals in 12 games as a sophomore before tearing one ACL, and then the other.
“It was really hard, mentally too, battling two knee surgeries. I was impatient,” Fronabarger said.
Her injuries kept her sidelined for a year and a half.
“She was on pace for something really special. When she went down it was a big blow to the team, and it was a big blow to her just to see such a talented player to get hurt like that,” said Hauck.
“It’s definitely been a hard and emotional process for me, especially because I feel like I’ve had to try twice as hard to get back to where I can be competitive and do what I need to do for the team,” Fronabarger said.
As a senior, she’s leading the team again, and to her that mean everything.
“Sports, ever since I was little and could dribble the basketball or run, it’s just consumed my life. It was my first love and I continue to love it, and it gives me a sense of purpose,” said Fronabarger.
Clara is going to play soccer at William Jewell next year, but for all she’s accomplished at Republic, she’s our Arby’s High School Athlete of the Week.
