Where's Chad Gilmer today? All over the field

CEDAR RAPIDS -- He plays a little defense, a little midfield, a little forward. He unbags balls before practice, shines his teammates' shoes and comes up with strategies before every game.

OK, that last sentence isn't true. At least that we know.

But to say Chad Gilmer is invaluable to his Cedar Rapids Xavier soccer team is understatement at its best. The senior can do everything on the field - and at a high level.

"Versatility," Xavier Coach Amir Hadzic said, when asked what he likes about Gilmer. "Last year, he was our best scorer but half (the) season, he played defense. He plays equally well defense, midfield and also up top."

Gilmer helped Xavier to its second straight Class 2A championship last season, scoring a team-high 14 goals. That speaks to his offensive ability.

His team-best 11 assists says something about being able to set up plays. Then there's his less tangible defense, marking opponents into the ground.

"That's a hard question," Gilmer said, when asked what he prefers to do most. "Probably offense because you score goals. But defense, I like stopping people, too."

Gilmer said his all-around ability has led to his teammates giving him a pretty cool nickname.

"The guys call me 'Athlete,'" he said. "I just like playing different positions."

Gilmer said it was his older sister, Jenna, who got him into soccer at a very young age. He was part of a 1994 birthdate Olympic Development Program team of Iowa preps that won the state's first national soccer title last March in Arizona.

Iowa City High's Tyler Chavez, Cedar Rapids Washington's Austin Bergstrom, Clear Creek-Amana's Ryan Hall, Cedar Rapids Prairie's Austin Reutzel and Iowa City West's Paris Martins and Mueng Sunday also were part of the historic squad.

“For a state the size of Iowa to beat Florida and (California-South) in the national finals, and win a national tournament that started last summer with state teams from all 55 State Associations, is a phenomenal achievement,” said Iowa Soccer Director of Coaching Ian Bradley.

Being part of that team is just another example of his tendency to provide clutch play, Hadzic said. The bigger the stage, the better Gilmer's performance.

"I like that he steps up to the plate," Hadzic said. "The tougher the competition or the more important the game, he plays well."

Gilmer said it might be football that's actually in his future. That's American football.

He is contemplating walking on at Northern Iowa as a placekicker. He hit four field goals (a long of 42 yards) and 20 of 21 extra points last fall.