Rian Coleman has done just about everything you can think of during her high school career.
The Franklin Towne High School senior has played multiple positions on the Warriors soccer team. She’s starred on the Franklin Towne basketball team at point guard and has also contributed to the success of the Warriors lacrosse team.
In fact, she became a starter in all three sports during her freshman year and while she has moved around, she has stayed a key component on all three squads.
But there’s one thing she really wants to do before she calls it a career as a Warrior.
“The biggest thing I want to do is win a Public League championship, especially because when I got here, they had won five straight soccer championships,” said Coleman, who lives in Port Richmond. “We’ve come really close, but we haven’t won it. It’s been really hard, but I really don’t want to leave here without winning one. We have been working so hard to make it happen.”
Coleman and her mates are certainly on the right track.
For the past three seasons, Central has ruled the Public League. And once again, the Lancers are among the best teams in the Public League.
But so are the Warriors.
Thus far, Franklin Towne and Central have squared off twice with the Warriors going 1-0-1 against their main rival. That gives them plenty of confidence heading into the playoffs, which begin this week. The Warriors’ opponent has yet to be determined, but Coleman is just looking forward to getting on the field.
“I really think this year is different, there are a lot of things different, but the biggest thing is we’re closer than ever before,” Coleman said. “We’re playing so well now because we’re playing together. We play really well because of that. I think that’s been the biggest reason for us winning. And when we beat Central, we were on a high for a week. We just really wanted to play well against them.”
Coleman has done her part to help the team for the last two seasons.
She’s been a midfielder for most of her high school career, but last year the Warriors needed a lift on defense so she slid back to help out. The results were good, but she’s happy to be back at center-midfield.
“I’m more comfortable playing midfield, but I liked playing defense, too,” Coleman said. “I did it when I was younger, but then I moved to midfielder and that’s my favorite position. But when we needed someone, I was happy to do it. It wasn’t a hard transition or anything, I just went out and did it.”
Coleman loves playing midfield because it lets her do what she loves. It also lets her do what she does best.
A talented goal scorer, Coleman doesn’t really care if she’s the one putting the ball in the net. In fact, she would much rather be the one serving goals up on a silver platter. And it’s something she excels at.
“I’m more of a playmaker, I have good vision, so I just try and get the ball to my teammates and let them score,” said Coleman, who does the same as a point guard in basketball and a midfielder in lacrosse. “I’ve always liked to be the one setting people up.
“I had an assist in the game-winning goal against Central, and that was the best feeling. I love seeing my teammates score and when they score, it helps the team. And I like helping people.”
Coleman has high hopes for this year. She also has high hopes for beyond Franklin Towne.
While she loves her other two sports, Coleman hopes to play soccer in college, if she plays a sport. She’s had contact with a few schools, but her ultimate goal is to major in nursing.
She thinks that’s a career that would suit her perfectly.
“I love science and biology,” Coleman said. “Last year, I had biology and I really liked it and I realized that I would love nursing. Plus, as I said about playing soccer, I love helping people and in nursing, you can really help people when they need it.”
Coleman still has a lot to accomplish at Franklin Towne. She stays very busy playing sports and with her studies, but she still has time to have fun. She loves her school, and she would love nothing more than to bring a championship back there.
Who knows, if things go right, Coleman’s senior class could be the one to start another run of championships for the Warriors.
She really wants to get at least one.
“I love Franklin Towne, and I really don’t want to go my whole four years without winning one, especially because of how good they were,” Coleman said. “I really think this is the year we could do it. We’re going to do it. There are a lot of good teams, but we can be one of the best if we play the way we have the ability to.
“I going to the school and playing all the sports, but I really want a soccer championship, not just for me but for everyone. I think we can do it. We’re definitely on the right path.”
