The Passion of a Pro Winans embraces teamwork, positivity going into final season

By Megan Hutchinson

“I live in this program and wouldn’t miss summer training for the world” is not a sentiment held by many high school athletes. This isn’t the case for incoming senior soccer player Hannah Winans who strives for positivity and teamwork leads her to success both on and off the field. 

Winans plays goalkeeper for the Sandy High School varsity girls soccer team and for the Eastside Timbers. At the end of last season, Winans was selected by Eastside Timbers’ Girls Player of the Year.

“I don’t do everything with awards in mind. I do it for myself, my team, and my clubs, but this recognition meant a lot to me. It shows the work and time I’ve put into this club,” Winans said. She began playing soccer at a very young age, joining her first club team at eight years old. She began coaching for Eastside in May of 2025. 

Despite her lack of an off-season, Winans has found success in both school and soccer. While maintaining her 4.0 GPA, Winans’ club team finished the season third out of 10 teams, and her school team made it to the first round of playoffs for the first time in seven years. She credits much of the SHS team’s recent success to her coach who began her junior year, Josh Westermann. “Shoutout Josh!” Winans exclaims.

As Winans enters her final season, she has high hopes of assisting a goal. She aims “to make it as far as possible in 5A playoffs this year, and I think our team has the skill and passion to achieve that.” Winans will prove useful to her team in achieving this goal as she facilitates communication during games.

“I’m always talking on the field, communicating with my teammates, and providing instructions as I see the whole field,” Winans said. She has the ability to read and understand a game and consequently communicate a vision with her team. This aligns with her belief that teamwork is the most important aspect of soccer.

“You can put 11 incredibly talented players on a field, but if they can't work together and understand one another, that talent comes with no benefits,” Winans said. As she works with her teammates, she has found invaluable friendships. She was placed on varsity with three other freshmen and is excited to share the milestone of her last season with them. 

“I always want to play my absolute best to encourage and impact my team.” Winans said. She is motivated by both her love for the game and the love of her team. “If I hated what I was doing, I wouldn’t get anywhere, but I love it.”

It’s this kind of positivity that Winans hopes to mirror in life. She hopes her teammates see her as someone that they can always come to. 

“Advice that I live and play by is that a team isn’t going to get anywhere under negativity. Positivity and encouragement are the only way people and players can improve. With this, I try to create a positive, joking, and comfortable environment for myself and my teammates,” Winans said. She carries this positivity with her as she enters her final season in high school.

Winans has plans to continue her soccer career in college and is working hard to stand out to college scouts. Her drive  extends beyond herself. At summer practices, Winans has been able to take on a coaching and encouragement role for the younger players. Maybe all the players she coaches will grow to have Winans’ attitude and “[won’t] miss summer practice for the world.”