When colleges recruit and scout high school athletes in order to offer scholarship opportunities to some, it is not all that common that student-athletes are offered any scholarships before their senior year of high school.

However, this was not the case for junior Anissa Cheikh who was just recently offered a scholarship and verbally committed to play soccer at the Virginia Military Institute and be a part of the class of 2023.

“I was not really all that surprised about being offered the opportunity to play at VMI because I was communicating with the coaches throughout the process,” Cheikh said. “But I was really excited and honored to verbally commit to have the opportunity to play for them.”

Cheikh has been playing soccer for 14 years not only for AHS, where she made the varsity team as a freshman, but also for other teams outside of school.

“I have been playing soccer for a total of about 14 years,” Cheikh said. “I currently play for AHS as well as SCAA (South County).”

The Virginia Military Institute is a part of a highly competitive college program and plays soccer, as well as many other sports, at the Division One level.

This typically means that athletes offered the opportunity to play for the school’s sports teams are usually highly scouted and very talented.
Cheikh, who has played at a very competitive level throughout all of her years playing soccer, looks forward to having the chance to improve even more as the competition ramps up in college..

“My personal goals for the remainder of high school include wanting to become a stronger player,” Cheikh said. “Because they play Division One soccer, the game is much faster and the intensity is way higher.”

Along with playing soccer for many years, Cheikh is also a multi-sport athlete.

Throughout high school, Cheikh has participated in both cross country and indoor track where she was a top runner in both.

Having the opportunity to play for a division one school such as the Virginia Military Institute, Cheikh will have the opportunity to face higher level competition.

Facing higher level competition is almost certain to improve athletes at the college level.

“I just want to become a stronger player and because they play division one soccer I’ll have the chance to improve so many aspects of my game,” Cheikh said.

The multiple years of experience certainly helped Cheikh in having the opportunity to be offered an athletic scholarship to the Virginia Military Institute.

“I am so excited and also honored to receive the opportunity to play at VMI,” Cheikh said.
Cheikh being one of the strongest players in AHS girls soccer throughout her first three years has definitely allowed her to stand out significantly.

Cheikh making the varsity team as a freshman also contributed in her standing out.
She looks to continue to grow in her final years in high school as she prepares for college soccer.