Pictures left to right: Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach Ashley Linehart, Head Varsity Coach Patrick Winecoff, Anna Salisbury, and Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach Andy Sarjant.
The Girls Preparatory School Athletic Department is proud to announce Anna Salisbury will continue her education and soccer career with NCAA Division III Berry College in Rome, Georgia, this fall. Salisbury, a key defender for the Bruisers, played varsity center back for four years.
GPS Varsity Soccer Coach Patrick Winecoff says Salisbury will be missed. “We have relied on her extensively to shoulder the defensive workload for the team,” he says. “Anna’s work ethic, love for her teammates, and leadership has propelled the GPS soccer program to the TSSAA state semifinals twice (in 2015 and 2017) and to a state championship in 2014.”
Salisbury’s 4-year, 60-game record at GPS includes: 41-13-6 overall, 21-3-6 region, and 31 shutouts; she started every game but one and last season served as team captain.
"We are extremely proud of Anna and the work that she has put in to obtain this opportunity to play at the next level,” says Jay Watts, GPS Athletic Director.
“I feel confident that she will be a great representative of GPS at Berry College."
With plans to major in marketing and business, Salisbury says she chose Berry College not only for its beautiful campus and variety of activities offered, but also based on the warm reception and welcoming atmosphere she experienced when visiting. “As president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes at GPS, I also love the religious opportunities Berry offers, while still being open to all faith backgrounds,” she says. “I am a part of YoungLife, and I love that Berry continues to offer that as well and I knew that it would be a perfect fit for me.”
Salisbury wanted to continue her soccer career at the collegiate level, but she didn’t decide to become a Berry Viking until the end of 2017. “When one of the coaches from Berry’s women’s soccer team traveled hours to come see me play in a tournament and remembered me a year later and what position I played, that was a huge factor in my decision,” Salisbury says.
“We are very proud that she has chosen to continue to play at Berry College with Coach Lorenzo Canalis,” Coach Winecoff says. “We know she will continue to excel in the classroom and on the field.”