HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Kennedy's McKnight stepping down

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By Ethan Divis, Kennedy senior

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Kennedy girls' soccer coach Andrew McKnight will step down at the end of the month after getting hired by the Iowa City Police Department.

McKnight started the process to become a police officer in March 2012 and the process will be complete this month. He will coach his final game on April 22 against Washington.

McKnight compiled a record of 31-10 at Kennedy, winning a state title his first season.

'It's hard to step down from this school,' McKnight said. 'The experiences that I have had coaching at Kennedy high School will provide me with many memories which I will surely cherish.'

Kennedy senior Kaela Dickerman will miss many things about her coach.

'I've had him as a coach for three years and I've had him as a coach before that, too," she said. "I know that he has really helped me improve as a player.

'Although we sometimes butt heads, he's been a really inspiring person for me.'

McKnight will be replaced by current assistant coach Scott Myers, who has coaching experience on the high school and college level.

'Scott brings a vast background of soccer to the table and he will have all the tools to be successful,' McKnight said.

The players seem to think Myers will be successful, too.

'I think Scott's a good coach for us," Dickerman said. "He understands our personalities and is able to deal with them.

'I think as a team we'll really do well with adapting him into our personalities.'

The Cougars appear to be one of the favorites to compete for a state title this year. They are ranked second in the state and recently beat seventh-ranked Muscatine, 5-2.

'Going into the season we have all the potential to do as well as we can,' Dickerman said. 'Our goals are to win as much as we can, play as hard as we can and just stay focused as being a team.'