Ohio's Top 50 Athletes of the Decade: No. 12 Kenneth "Kiki" Willis

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By Eric Frantz, Managing Editor
efrantz@bucknuts.com
Posted Mar 11, 2010


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No. 12: Kenneth "Kiki" Willis, Youngstown Mooney, Soccer, 2001-2005

Today we continue the countdown of JJHuddle's “Top 50 Ohio High School Athletes of the Decade” for 1999-2009. Every Monday through Friday from now until March 26, a new athlete will be released.

Today's entry was first team All-Ohio four times in his sport and holds the record for most goals...


Today we continue the countdown of JJHuddle's “Top 50 Ohio High School Athletes of the Decade” for 1999-2009. Every Monday through Friday from now until March 26, a new athlete will be released.

Today's entry was first team All-Ohio four times in his sport and holds the record for most goals...

12. Kenneth "Kiki" Willis, Youngstown Mooney, Soccer, 2001-2005: In a region defined by football, Willis made soccer viable. As a sophomore he led Mooney to the first ever state soccer title (D-II) by a Steel Valley team. As a junior he helped the Cardinals make the regional final and earn a national ranking of No. 6. His senior year, Mooney lost 1-0 in OT in the state final.

Individually, Willis is the state’s all-time leading scorer with 172 goals (which ranks sixth nationally). As a senior, he scored 56 goals (third highest Ohio single season tally ever) and as a junior had 50 (seventh most ever).

Willis also had 55 assists and was a four-time First Team All-Ohio selection. Three times he was an NCSAA Adidas All-American, and was also named a Parade All-American,
EA Sports All-American and NCSAA/Adidas State Player of the Year. All four years in high school he was the Steel Valley Player of the Year, All-Mahoning County and District Player of the year. 
After a two-year stint at Elon University, Willis signed a Major League Soccer contract with DC United who drafted him in the first round of the 2007 MLS waiver draft.

COMPLETE COUNTDOWN

Honorable Mention

50. Daequan Cook, Dayton Dunbar, Basketball, 2002-2006

49. Maurice Hall, Columbus Brookhaven, Football, 1997-2001

48. Erick Howard, North Canton Hoover, Football, 2006-2010

47. Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland, Basketball, 2006-2010

46. Marc Sylvester, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Track,  1997-2001

45. Collin Palmer, Lakewood St. Edward, Wrestling, 2005-2009

44. Dustin Schlatter, Graham/Massillon Perry, Wrestling, 2001-2005

43. Cachet Murray, Girard, Track, 2002-2005

42. Jantel Lavender, Cleveland Central Catholic, Basketball, 2003-2007

41. Whitney Meyers, Cincinnati St. Ursula, Swimming, 1999-2003

40. Lance Palmer, Lakewood St. Edward, Wrestling, 2002-2006

39. Harry Lester, Cuy. Valley Shristian Academy, Wrestling, 1997-2001

38. O.J. Mayo, North College Hill, Basketball, 2003-2006

37. Michelle Munoz, Mason, Girls Basketball, 1997-2001

36. Maurice Clarett, Warren Harding, Football, 1997-2001

35. Chris Ash, Akron Firestone, Swimming, 2001-2005

34. Bridget Franek, Mantua Crestwood, Track & Field, 2002-2006

33. Ryan Pore, Mansfield Madison Comprehensive, Soccer, 1998-2002

32. Jessica Simpson, North Canton Hoover, Softball, 2004-2008

31. Tony Jameson, Austintown-Fitch, Wrestling, 2005-2009

30. Blaine Maag, Columbus Grove, Football & Track & Field, 2001-2005

29. Jeff Jaggers, Bedford St. Peter Chanel, Wrestling, 2000-2004

28. Kristin Daugherty, Warsaw River View, Volleyball and Basketball, 2003-2007

27. Nate Davis, Bellaire, Football and Basketball, 2003-2007

26. Lauren Prochaska, Plain City Jonathan Alder, Basketball, 2003-2007

25. Sarah Dorenkott, Gates Mills Hawken, Swimming, 2003-2006

24. Margo Geer, Fairbanks, Swimming, 2006-2010

23. Erik Kynard, Toledo Rogers, Track & Field, 2005-2009

22. Todd Boeckman, St. Henry, Football, Basketball and Baseball, 1999-2003

21. Sam Borchers, Yellow Springs, Track & Field, 2003-2007

20. Nicole Fawcett, Ben Logan, Volleyball, 2001-2005

19. Sarah Schulze, Anna, Cross Country, Basketball and Track & Field, 2003-2007

18. Jimmie Pacifico, Vandalia-Butler, Track & Field, 2003-2007

17. Ryan Radcliff, Sherwood Fairview, Football & Baseball, 2004-2008

16. Barbara Turner, Cleveland East Tech, Basketball, 1999-2002

15. Logan Stieber, Monroeville, Wrestling, 2006-2010

14. Jason Bainum, Williamsburg, Football, 1998-2002

13. Matt Allare, Kings Mills Kings, Tennis, 2003-07


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