Strickland credits her biggest fans
Editor’s Note: This is the final story in a two part series on Anahola’s Mariko Strickland, who accepted a full soccer scholarship at San Diego St. Despite all of her success so far in her life, Mariko is one to not forget where she came from.
“Definitely the support that my family, especially my parents, have given me throughout my entire life. My mom and dad have been there for me from since I was a little kid playing AYSO soccer on Kaua‘i to flying to O‘ahu and to the mainland just to watch my games. My Dad is the one who always gets me physically and mentally prepared for big time events like ODP camp and what not. I’ll come home for the summer and hang out with friends, go surfing, but he’ll make sure I stay focused and on task at the same time. He’s like my personal trainer. My mom is like the icing on the cake, she’s one of the most positive and optimistic people in my life. My parents are awesome; without them I definitely would not be where I am today. Another person who has been a huge supporter is my sister, whom I live with on O‘ahu. She has been my second mom throughout my high school life, she’ll cook dinner for me and come watch my games. She has been such a great role model for me,” Strickland said.
According to Mariko’s dad, Greg, as a young kid growing up on Kaua‘i, she was quite the character. She was a true blue tom boy and her older brother Kyle was her immediate peer and she idolized him. She would follow him everywhere and hang out with him and his friends.
“Mariko wanted to join a team at age 4 and had to join a boys team as there wasn’t any girls team for her age. She played on boys’ teams until she was about 7 or 8. When other girls joined the team, that was how she got to meet girl friends who were sporty enough for her to hang out with. She would much rather kick a soccer ball around, shoot baskets or go surfing than play with dolls or dress up and do things like that. Mariko always was very competitive and started playing basketball in the Boys & Girls Club and softball outside soccer season,” Greg said.
But according to her dad, she is no longer a tom boy.
“If you see her in a prom dress you’ll know what I mean — she’s a knockout,” Greg said.
Considered one of the top players to come out of Hawai‘i this year, Strickland brings a wealth of experience at the regional level to SDSU. She played four years at Mid-Pacific Institute, where she carries a hefty 4.0 GPA, and was a five-year member of the ODP (Olympic Development Program) state team and threeyear member of the Regional IV team.
“ODP has definitely helped me to not only become a better player but also to get exposure to college coaches. Making the ODP Region IV team and having that on my resume has opened a lot of doors for me. I think it is a great program to get seen. Going to tournaments on the mainland was very important for me as well. Living in Hawai‘i, we are at a big disadvantage as far as getting seen, so those big-time tournaments and ODP are vital — it’s our chance to really shine. Whereas California kids are getting seen by these college coaches every weekend. It’s harder for us but coaches are starting to realize that we have big-time players here in Hawai‘i,” Mariko said.
A member of the HSC Bulls club team, Strickland led the squad to three consecutive USYNC Hawai‘i state titles (2001-03), which culminated with a trip to the Far-West regionals, where the Bulls advanced to the semi finals. In 2004, Strickland was a member of the Leahi Soccer Club USYNC team, which won the Hawaii state cup.
“Mariko is known for her amazing work rate, which allows her to control the game on both ends of the pitch,” said Giuliano.
Giuliano also praised the “off the field” quality of the 2005 class.
“Everyone talks about what great people their recruits are,” explained Giuliano. “In this particular case, it really is true in every respect. Academically, athletically, and socially, these young ladies will represent our great university with dignity and honor.”
The 2005 schedule is the most ambitious yet, and includes road games against national power-houses Washington, Portland, and Nebraska.
Mariko is the daughter of Greg, a former Australian Rules Football player, and Sue Strickland, who both own Garden Island Properties in Kapa‘a. Mariko has one brother, Kyle, 21 and one sister, Kanani, 23, both graduates of Kapa‘a High School.
She transferred to Mid Pacific Institute in Honolulu her Freshman year to further her high school education and her soccer career. Mariko has been playing in the Honolulu club soccer program since 8th grade and currently plays for Honolulu’s Leahi Soccer Club.
Mariko was also recruited by UH, LMU, Santa Clara University, Saint Mary’s University, University of Oregon and University of Florida. Mariko chose SDSU for the location and the newly appointed coaching staff; being very comfortable with their sincerity in the recruiting process and their positive coaching philosophies.
Strickland wasn’t so sure about the whole private school experience at first.
“I still remember my dad and I went for a bike ride and he asked me what i thought of going to a boarding school on O‘ahu and I said I wasn’t totally shutting it down and I was just kinda like, I dont wanna leave my friends, but I think it would be good for me for club soccer and education. I guess it was one of those things where I knew it would be for the best. I always thank my parents because they did give me the best of both worlds. I love Kaua‘i, but I also have the opportunities O‘ahu has offered me,” Strickland said.
Markio has said that she loved growing up on Kaua‘i what she remembers the most is the oodles amount of fun she had on the island.
“All I remember about Kaua‘i soccer is having fun, some of my coaches on Kaua‘i are my parents, Greg and Sue, Uncle Vince Lagmay, Jodie Nomi, Andrea Alfiler, and Kaua‘i Soccer Club coach Aunty Gwen (Tamura) and I remember hanging out at her house and she would feed me and we would have sleep overs and it was so much fun,” Mariko said.
Strickland plans to major in kinesiology and possibly minoring in communications, with the hopes of becoming a professional soccer player and coaching later on in her career.
“Never lose sight of the first reason you started playing soccer, because it’s fun. No matter what, always remember to have fun. If soccer wasn’t fun for me, I wouldn’t be playing,” Mariko said.
“If you are seriously interested in playing soccer in college I highly recommend that you participate in the ODP program. I know that there is a lot of critisism about it from various people, but I truely believe it is a great program that can help open a lot of opportunities; it definitely did for me. Just go in knowing that you are going to have to work hard. I think it’s a great opportunity to get a feel of how competitive soccer really is. Go in with a positive attitude: think of it as an opportunity to showcase your talent to not only college coaches, but to fellow teammates and competitors. Represent Kauai and Hawai‘i.”
As far as advice for upcoming youth soccer players, that aspire to be where Mariko is?
“If you have a goal in life, whether it be going on to play soccer, basketball, becoming a doctor, whatever, hold on to that goal and run with it. If you believe in yourself and your abilities, work hard, and stay focused, nothing can stop you,” Strickland said.
“ODP has definitely helped me to not only become a better player but also to get exposure to college coaches. Making the ODP Region IV team and having that on my resume has opened a lot of doors for me. I think it is a great program to get seen. Going to tournaments on the mainland was very important for me as well. Living in Hawai‘i, we are at a big disadvantage as far as getting seen, so those big-time tournaments and ODP are vital — it’s our chance to really shine. Whereas California kids are getting seen by these college coaches every weekend. It’s harder for us but coaches are starting to realize that we have big-time players here in Hawai‘i,” Mariko said.
A member of the HSC Bulls club team, Strickland led the squad to three consecutive USYNC Hawai‘i state titles (2001-03), which culminated with a trip to the Far-West regionals, where the Bulls advanced to the semi finals. In 2004, Strickland was a member of the Leahi Soccer Club USYNC team, which won the Hawaii state cup.
“Mariko is known for her amazing work rate, which allows her to control the game on both ends of the pitch,” said Giuliano.
Giuliano also praised the “off the field” quality of the 2005 class.
“Everyone talks about what great people their recruits are,” explained Giuliano. “In this particular case, it really is true in every respect. Academically, athletically, and socially, these young ladies will represent our great university with dignity and honor.”
The 2005 schedule is the most ambitious yet, and includes road games against national power-houses Washington, Portland, and Nebraska.
Mariko is the daughter of Greg, a former Australian Rules Football player, and Sue Strickland, who both own Garden Island Properties in Kapa‘a. Mariko has one brother, Kyle, 21 and one sister, Kanani, 23, both graduates of Kapa‘a High School.
She transferred to Mid Pacific Institute in Honolulu her Freshman year to further her high school education and her soccer career. Mariko has been playing in the Honolulu club soccer program since 8th grade and currently plays for Honolulu’s Leahi Soccer Club.
Mariko was also recruited by UH, LMU, Santa Clara University, Saint Mary’s University, University of Oregon and University of Florida. Mariko chose SDSU for the location and the newly appointed coaching staff; being very comfortable with their sincerity in the recruiting process and their positive coaching philosophies.
Strickland wasn’t so sure about the whole private school experience at first.
“I still remember my dad and I went for a bike ride and he asked me what i thought of going to a boarding school on O‘ahu and I said I wasn’t totally shutting it down and I was just kinda like, I dont wanna leave my friends, but I think it would be good for me for club soccer and education. I guess it was one of those things where I knew it would be for the best. I always thank my parents because they did give me the best of both worlds. I love Kaua‘i, but I also have the opportunities O‘ahu has offered me,” Strickland said.
Markio has said that she loved growing up on Kaua‘i what she remembers the most is the oodles amount of fun she had on the island.
“All I remember about Kaua‘i soccer is having fun, some of my coaches on Kaua‘i are my parents, Greg and Sue, Uncle Vince Lagmay, Jodie Nomi, Andrea Alfiler, and Kaua‘i Soccer Club coach Aunty Gwen (Tamura) and I remember hanging out at her house and she would feed me and we would have sleep overs and it was so much fun,” Mariko said.
Strickland plans to major in kinesiology and possibly minoring in communications, with the hopes of becoming a professional soccer player and coaching later on in her career.
“Never lose sight of the first reason you started playing soccer, because it’s fun. No matter what, always remember to have fun. If soccer wasn’t fun for me, I wouldn’t be playing,” Mariko said.
“If you are seriously interested in playing soccer in college I highly recommend that you participate in the ODP program. I know that there is a lot of critisism about it from various people, but I truely believe it is a great program that can help open a lot of opportunities; it definitely did for me. Just go in knowing that you are going to have to work hard. I think it’s a great opportunity to get a feel of how competitive soccer really is. Go in with a positive attitude: think of it as an opportunity to showcase your talent to not only college coaches, but to fellow teammates and competitors. Represent Kauai and Hawai‘i.”
As far as advice for upcoming youth soccer players, that aspire to be where Mariko is?
“If you have a goal in life, whether it be going on to play soccer, basketball, becoming a doctor, whatever, hold on to that goal and run with it. If you believe in yourself and your abilities, work hard, and stay focused, nothing can stop you,” Strickland said.
