Virginia Youth Soccer Association named Bethany Horstmann and Ryan White as the Young Female and Young Male Referees of the Year for 2007.  They were recognized at the VYSA Workshop and Awards Luncheon held on February 2 in Richmond.

Bethany Horstmann has been a referee for four years and recently upgraded to Grade 7.  She was her club’s Outstanding Female Referee of the Year in 2005 and the Golden Whistle Award winner in 2006.  She has officiated at State Cup, Region 1 ODP Championships, Premier Division of the WAGS Tournament and the adidas MLS Showcase.  She is also a referee for Special Olympics soccer.  Bethany maintains a 3.9 GPA and was selected for the Governor’s School of Humanities last year.  She is captain of her high school golf team and managing editor of her school newspaper.

Ryan White has also been a referee for four years and has upgraded to Grade 7.  He attended the State Referee Program’s Basic Academy in 2003 and was named Top Male Camper.  The following year he attended the Advanced Academy and was again named the Top Male Camper.  He was PWSI’s Youth Male Referee of the Year for 2006-07.  His game experience includes State Cup, ODP Friendlies and the ODP Camp in Rhode Island.  Ryan was a three-year letterman on his high school varsity lacrosse team and is currently a freshman student at VCU where he has a 3.3 GPA.

Congratulations to Bethany and Ryan!