Salmon more than meets the eye
It’s hard enough to make the All-Western Athletic Conference First Team, much less do it twice in the first two years of college, but that is exactly what Utah State defending midfielder Chandra Salmon has done.
Salmon, known as “Fish” to her teammates, has been a starter for the Aggies since her freshman year, and has been honored with a slew of other awards, including Academic All-WAC (2008, 2009) and Joe E. and Elma Whitesides Scholar-Athlete, and helped the team earn its seventh-straight NSCAA Team Academic Award last season.
When asked about the secret to her success, however, Salmon was quick to recognize the efforts of her teammates.
“I really think it’s just hard work,” Salmon said. “We get recognition when the team does well. It’s really a team award.”
Salmon played the central defender position at Provo High School. There she was a four-year letter winner, and during her senior year she was the team’s most valuable player, scoring 13 goals and 16 assists. She was an honorable mention all-state selection, named second-team All-Region, and named to the All-Valley team. Her junior year, Salmon was the leading scorer in the region with 22 goals and 16 assists. She also earned National Honor Society honors in the classroom.
Salmon’s success wasn’t just limited to her high school team. She was a member of Utah’s Olympic Developmental Team – a side made up of the best soccer players by age group that competes against teams from each of the other states. Salmon said that playing for that team was one of her favorite soccer experiences.
She has also captained a club team called the Celtic Storm, a team that was a state finalist three years in a row.
But, Salmon is more than just a soccer player. The 5’6″ junior has recently taken up rock climbing, and loves hanging out with her teammates off the field.
“These girls are my best friends,” Salmon said. “This team is awesome.”
Salmon said USU coach Heather Cairns, who has coached Salmon in the past, was a factor in her decision to come to Utah State instead of a number of other universities. Salmon said that she liked Cairns’ coaching style
“It kinda set me up,” she said. “(Coach Cairns) is easy to talk to, and we get along.”
Salmon is the seventh of eight children born to J. Ross and Karen Salmon. Interestingly enough, all of her immediate family members were born in Canada, while she herself was born in Provo. Salmon has been playing soccer since she was four, and admitted that she will feel weird when it’s all over.
While Salmon is majoring in teaching with a physical education and health education minor, she is also thinking about going into nursing after college. She is an avid reader and lists John Grisham among her favorite authors. Not surprisingly, Salmon is also a professional soccer fan.
“I don’t really have a favorite team, I have favorite players and follow the teams that they play for. I like Tierry Henry,” Salmon said. She also noted Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as her other favorite players.
Salmon has been an instrumental part of the Aggies’ success this season, and figures to play a key role as the team continues into WAC play. She’ll have her chance to continue to lead the Aggies in their quest towards a WAC title this Friday, when the team travels to play Fresno State.
– tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu