Columbus North's Avery Baker dribbles the ball during a game against Greenfield Central on Sept. 9, 2023 at BCSC Soccer Complex.
Avery Baker's success in women's soccer is garnering attention.
The Columbus North High School sophomore spent the offseason participating in the Olympic Development Program, which promotes growth and development and helps unearth youth soccer talent across the country.
ODP holds tryouts once a year and, with the help of coaches from around the state, uses the tryouts to create a player pool for each age group, allowing players the opportunity to play and train with top players from around the state and other states at various ODP events.
This is Baker's first year playing for the ODP program.
“I've gotten to know a lot of girls from all over the state and we've become friends now,” Baker said. “It's pretty good competition. It's definitely a step up. It's really nice to make some high-level friends and practice together.”
Baker competed in ODP showcase events in Memphis, Tennessee, in February and Cincinnati last month. She said she was invited to a regional training camp in Rockford, Illinois, last week, which was attended by about 65 girls from different states in the region. There are four regions in total across the country, and Indiana is in the Midwest region.
“One of the things I encourage all my players is to compete at the highest level and push yourself,” North coach David Young said. “Find a coach that pushes you. I like different voices. I like the fact that she's going to be playing with different teammates. Hopefully that will encourage her to communicate on the field and then come back and use that voice to communicate with her high school teammates.”
Baker has been working out with her Bulldog teammates this summer. Last season, she led the team with 10 goals and six assists as a freshman and was named The Republic women's soccer player of the year.
“Playing all winter and competing in different programs and ODPs and playing with my friends has really helped me continue to grow as a player and prepare for this season, which I'm really looking forward to,” Baker said.
