Zakk Rankin is a member of the U-15/16 Carmel United soccer team that won the 2008 U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-15/16 national title.

They kept their 16-game win streak intact and won four more games, including the tournament championship, a 1-0 victory over the U-15/16 PDA team from New Jersey. The tournament was held at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif.

Rankin is the son of Pat and Pamm Rankin, former local residents.

"Zakk is still up in the clouds with this one. What a ride!" said his mother.

"Zakk started playing soccer the first year Carroll County Youth Soccer League was formed," she continued. "I believe he was four, just about to turn five years old. From the beginning, he loved to play. With much guidance from Indiana Youth Soccer, training sessions, and just plain watching the sport, Carroll County Youth Soccer League began to understand and develop this game. With that said, CCYSL helped my son and many others fall in love with and desire to play soccer. For our son and family, CCYSL opened up an opportunity to play a game that has won our hearts."

The Rankin family now resides in Fishers.