The Georgia under 15 girls' Olympic Development Team won the Region III ODP Championship Tournament, held recently in Montevallo, Ala. Sponsored by Adidas, the tournament brings the top players from each state for a week of games in hopes of identifying the Southeast's best teams and players.

The Georgia U15's went 5-0, beating both north and south Texas, Tennessee and Alabama. By winning the championship, Georgia qualifies to face the three other region champs in the national semi-finals in February. The national tournament will be in San Diego.

Of the 17 players on the Georgia squad, 10 play for the Lightning 84 White team, which is coached by Brian Moore. Eight of those ten players are from Peachtree City. They are Melanie Schneider, Dana Van Winkle and Tabitha Lowey of the McIntosh Lady Chiefs, and Allison Graham, Amanda Thurber, Rachel Sproul, Kristin Rutland and Lindsey Wegryzyn of the state champion Starr's Mill Lady Panthers. The other two members of the Lightning squad are Jordan Spencer form Douglas County and Lauren Burch from Griffin.

Both Graham and Schneider were selected to the region team and will continue on to the National pool training in Portland, Ore. this August. Goalkeeper Kristin Rutland and six other Georgia players were selected to the Region III pool.

Coaches for the team are Jacob Daniel and Lightning director of player development Steve Hutton.

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