Xavier's Armstrong is 'Kayla the Konqueror'

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kayla Armstrong enjoys art and reading inspirational quotes. She plans on studying pre-pharmacy next year at Drake University.Oh, and she's really, really good at soccer. Was that mentioned?The senior striker belongs in the pantheon of greatest players ever at Cedar Rapids Xavier. If you don't believe it, ask her coach, who also is in that "best" discussion.Keep in mind, this is no fly by night girls' soccer program. Xavier has won seven consecutive state championships.“I would say there are lot of monumental players that have come through the school," said first-year Xavier Coach Bailey Dorrington, a former all-stater and college player at Drake. "It's more than appropriate to throw her name in that mix.”Armstrong has played on the Saints varsity since she was a freshman. She has scored 34 goals each the past two seasons.Few have her skills. Few have her determination to use them."Oh, I'm extremely competitive," she said. "I could be playing a card game or playing tennis in gym class, and I want to win.""There are two pieces for a player like her," Dorrington said. "It's being athletic enough to do it, and mentally being willing to put the effort in. You saw her in the state basketball tournament. She turns it on when she wants to. You can't have one or the other (and be outstanding). Thankfully, she, especially her senior year, has had both frequently. That's what we want.”The basketball thing Dorrington was referring to was Armstrong's impeccable state tournament performance. She scored the winning basket in the final eight seconds of the Class 4A title game against Harlan, then rushed back and got a tip on an ensuing Harlan shot.Armstrong said she always has played both sports, but soccer always has been her first love. She first played as a kindergartner on a city rec team and it just blossomed from there."I think when I got to middle school, that's when I realized soccer was going to be my main focus," she said.“She's by far the most athletic player I've ever come across," Dorrington said. "Even at the Drake (college) level. Her movements are just flawless. If you watch her, she can weave through players and score. That is really hard to do because these are really good soccer players (she's playing against). She's special.”Dorrington predicts a successful college career for Armstrong. There is one more prep season to play first, however, and there's a lot riding on it.She doesn't want to be on the team that breaks "the streak.""I'm always wanting to improve, to improve (her goal totals)," Armstrong said. "But I also want my teammates to be at my side and help out. I know they will."It's been great to be part of teams that have all worked together to accomplish a goal."