Security Federal Athlete of the Week: Sept. 4-10

Partnering with Security Federal, the Warren County Sports Authority will honor a standout local athlete of the week. The WCSA and the friendliest bank in town love seeing great athletic achievement and there are plenty to pick from every week in Warren County. From winter to summer, spring to fall, and on courts, fields, diamonds, dance floors, and anywhere else an athlete can succeed, Security Federal and the Sports Authority are going to be on the lookout for the best of the best!

Jayla Garibaldi - Girls Soccer

Jayla Garibaldi had big shoes to fill when she walked on the campus of Warren County High School. Katie Toney, the Lady Pioneers' all time leading scorer, had graduated and headed to Tennessee Tech. This left a hole for the Lady Pioneers, who had an electric offense led by Toney and Bekah Jackson. Jackson is now a senior at the high school and now has a new partner forming a dynamic duo.

Garibaldi is a freshman and has already made an impact as a starter for the Lady Pioneers.

In her first game as a Lady Pioneer, Garibaldi scored her first high school goal against Ooltewah. She also capped off the night with three assists in a 6-0 win.

After the first win, Jackson - the senior leader - had high praise for her younger teammate. “Katie isn’t here anymore, so some of us have to step up and score. Jayla is here, Hailey (Simpson) is here and we have really good players who can score and who can help me out to score," said Jackson.

In a 3-1 win against Riverdale, Garibaldi netted two more goals. Her first goal was scored with three minutes to go in the first half to keep her teams’ momentum going into half. The second goal was in the second half and added the exclamation point on the victory. After the Riverdale game, coach Kimberly Smith said, "(Jayla)'s been awesome. She’s been very coachable and works hard.”

Last Thursday, the Lady Pioneers headed to Coffee County for their first district game of the season. They got a HUGE win behind two goals from Garibaldi, both assisted by Jackson. Jackson also netted another goal in the first district win of the season.

After just eight games Garibaldi has five goals and five assists. Fans will be hearing and seeing her name a lot in her next four years at WCHS!

The Lady Pioneers will be back in action this week on Tuesday at home vs. Shelbyville and on Thursday at home vs. Franklin County. Both games are slated for 6 p.m.