When the Opfer Soccer Sisters at Glendale High School kept stockpiling award after award a few years ago, coach Jeff Rogers hoped the family tree would never end.
“I would always tease the Opfers (Scott and Tracy) that I wished they had more kids,” Rogers said. “They were great athletes but even better kids.”
The Opfer Sisters – Lorin Fiehler, Alix and Kasey – combined to earn seven All-State soccer honors between 2006 and 2015, and they’ll soon collect more hardware, this time from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
The trio is among this year’s Wynn Award recipients, to be honored during the Women’s Sports Luncheon sponsored by the Bee Payne-Stewart Foundation and presented by Central Bank/Central Trust. The event is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28 at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield. (See below for the full lineup. For tickets, call 417-889-3100).
Athletics and academics define the Opfer family. Scott (football) and Tracy (gymnastics) are Hall of Famers at Winona State University, where their son, Austin, eventually played football.
The Opfer Sisters’ soccer roots began in the 1990s when their dad and former big-leaguer Scott Bailes launched a local soccer team. Lorin, Tara Bailes and others played for the Spirit for years.
Lorin became a four-year starter and two-time All-State selection, helping Glendale win two district championships. In 2008, the team won a sectional, and she earned District Most Valuable Player for a second time and Regional Player of the Year.
“Being raised by two former collegiate athletes was an inspiration in itself but, throw in three incredibly talented siblings coming up after you, and you’ve got all the inspiration you can get,” said Lorin, who signed with Truman State University before transferring to the University of Missouri, where she was on the 2011 national championship club soccer team and earned tournament MVP. She is now living in Colorado with husband Kyle.
“I think that particular responsibility inspired me to really push myself to be the best I could be,” Lorin added.
Alix was twice All-State and a four-year starter, scoring 31 career goals and 23 assists while leading Glendale to three Final Fours. She was a Missouri Defensive Player of the Year as well as a Regional and District Player of the Year.
In four seasons at Missouri State University, she made 72 starts and, as a senior, scored 20 points – just the sixth player in program history to achieve that mark. She was a multiple All-Missouri Valley Conference selection.
“Lorin set the bar high, and Kasey and I wanted to do our best to carry on the Opfer name throughout our high school soccer careers,” said Alix, now in a master’s degree program at St. Louis University. “Playing the same sport as your sisters can be difficult, but I think it helped shape me into being the player I wanted to be.”
Kasey was a three-time All-State selection. As a senior in 2015, she was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of American All-Midwest Team and was rated as the No. 150 recruit in the nation, finishing her career with 73 goals and 31 assists.
She also played on successful Tulsa Hurricane and St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois ECNL (Elite Club National League) teams and now competes on the Iowa State University soccer team.
“I don’t know who wouldn’t be motivated being the youngest Opfer kid with every single sibling successfully playing a collegiate sport, and having hall of fame inductees as parents,” Kasey said. “It doesn’t get much more motivating than that.”
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Women’s Sports Luncheon sponsored by Bee Payne-Stewart Foundation & presented by Central Bank/Central Trust
When: 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28
Where: University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, Springfield
President’s Award: Jacquie Dowdy, CEO of JQH Hotels & Resorts
Inductees: Diamond High School Volleyball Program, Central High School & Drury University swimmer Michelle Langsford Dickemann, Eldon High School & Camdenton High School volleyball coach Ann Gulshen, Missouri State Lady Bears assistant coach Lynette Robinson, Missouri Southern State University Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country coach Patty Vavra, MSSU Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country Programs.
Wynn Awards: Shelley Seider Davis (Rich Hill High School/Pittsburg State University), swimmer Brianne McGuirk Madura (Missouri State University), The Opfer Sisters (Lorin Fiehler, Alix and Kasey) of Glendale High School Soccer, track and field’s Brenda Hayes Raynor (Branson High School/Missouri State University), track and field’s Trudi Spain (Missouri State University), three-sport athlete Dana Ozbun Stillwagon (Doniphan High School/Southwest Baptist University) and volleyball’s Bri Walsh (Clever High School/MSU-West Plains/Evangel University).
Tickets: Sponsorship tables of eight are $400. A head table ticket is $100. An individual ticket in advance is $40. Day-of tickets are $50.
Call: 417-889-3100
