Thursday, March 28, 2024
43.0°F

Senior Spotlight: From soccer to music, Chris Koch is uniquely gifted

by DYLAN GREENE
Sports Editor | October 20, 2020 1:00 AM

Editor’s note: This is a weekly series dedicated to highlighting local senior athletes.

SANDPOINT — Chris Koch is much more than a soccer player.

The SHS senior has a love for music that spawns from his dad, Paul. The Kochs’ have a studio at their home and music plays an integral role in Chris’ life.

“We’ve taken our kids to see Roger Waters and Robert Plant and so we’ve really tried to give them as much of an experience as we can in terms of music,” his mom, Tracey Koch, said. “We all love music, so it’s a family thing.”

Chris has a gift for playing the bass guitar and has been a member of several bands during his high school career, including Ruff Scrumpie — a band started by him, a friend and his older brother, Luke.

Chris has performed live at Matchwood Brewing and at charity events and private parties around the area.

Tracey said Chris can play a number of different instruments and she enjoys watching him perform live.

Chris has developed his own taste in music over the years, but on long family road trips to and from soccer games, classics from the ‘60s and ‘70s are blaring in the car, Tracey said.

Chris said he picks up his guitar when he wants to get away from the world and just relax.

“It’s always fun to find a group of guys to play music with,” Chris said. “That’s almost as nice as getting a group of guys to play soccer with.”

Speaking of soccer, Chris started getting touches on a ball when he was about 3 years old. Luke, who is three years older than Chris, took up the sport when he was 6 and Chris tagged along.

“We had a little field at our house and I’d stand in the goal and he’d shoot at me,” Chris said. “That’s really what got me started in soccer.”

The game came naturally to Chris and he became enthralled with the mental aspect of soccer and how you always have to be on your toes.

Chris, who earned all-league honors as a junior, has played on varsity since his sophomore year and has become a game changer at defensive midfielder for the Bulldogs the past two seasons.

Chris has spent time at different positions on the pitch over the course of his career, but the midfield is where he belongs.

“I think I’ve always been a midfielder,” he said. “Like my whole life that’s the way I’ve kind of played … that’s what I do best.”

Chris said a lot of the play is initiated from his position on the field and he enjoys being that link between the defensive and attack.

Chris and Tracey agreed that the family atmosphere around the boys soccer team is what makes it so special.

Tracey said she has formed a tight relationship with Zander Moore’s mom, Alicia, and has tried to be involved as much as she can over the course of Chris’ soccer journey.

Tracey said her life will certainly feel different when Chris wraps up his career as a Bulldog this week.

“It’s obviously bittersweet because it’s been such a positive experience for us,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade one second of it, it’s been so much fun and just watching the kids blossom from playing their first couple of years of Strikers and how they’ve turned into these really nice young men, it’s been a pleasure.”

Chris said it’s hard to put into words how much soccer has impacted his life, especially this season.

“Being a captain to where kids look up to you, that’s been a real honor,” he said.

Chris, who also enjoys pottery, plans on going onto college and pursuing a degree in STEM. He’s still applying to universities and the University of Alberta is at the top of his list.

After graduating from college, Chris is hoping to join the Peace Corps. Chris is a member of the National Honor Society at SHS and really enjoys the community work they do. He wants to continue to do that through the Peace Corps while fulfilling his aspiration to travel abroad.

Tracey said Chris is a very kind, empathic person and she believes joining the Peace Corps is a great fit for him.

“I think it will be really gratifying for him and it will really give him personal growth,” she said. “I think he will really thrive from that experience.”

Chris said this season has gone by so fast and it’s starting to sink in that his time at SHS and as a Bulldog is drawing to a close.

Wherever Chris ends up, he hopes soccer will continue to be a part of his life in some fashion.

Chris has a mellow personality and isn’t going to brag about all the things he’s accomplished, but Tracey is proud of what he’s done and the person he’s become.

“I’m amazed that Chris is my son sometimes,” she said. “It’s such a pleasure to be his mom and to have him as my son.”