Kristy Whelchel Explained

Kristy Whelchel
Full Name:Kristy Whelchel Hartofilis
Birth Name:Kristy Lynn Whelchel[1]
Birth Date:June 15, 1977
Birth Place:Sanford, Florida, United States
Position:Defender
Youthclubs1:Team Boca
College1:Duke Blue Devils
Collegeyears1:1995–1998
Clubs1:Raleigh Wings
Years1:1999–2000
Clubs2:Fortuna Hjørring
Years2:1999
Clubs3:New York Power
Years3:2001–2003
Caps3:46
Goals3:2

Kristy Whelchel Hartofilis (born Kristy Lynn Whelchel; June 15, 1977) is an American former professional soccer player. As a defender, she represented the New York Power of Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), as well as Fortuna Hjørring of the Danish Elitedivisionen.

Club career

After graduating from Duke University in 1999, Whelchel accepted an offer to play for Fortuna Hjørring in Denmark. In only her fourth game for the club she damaged ankle ligaments and returned to the United States.[2] Whelchel played for USL W-League team Raleigh Wings in 1999 and 2000. She was the New York Power's third round draft pick (20th overall) for the inaugural 2001 season of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA).[3]

In the league's first season, Whelchel started all 21 of the Power's regular season matches and scored two goals. She started 20 of the team's 21 games in 2002, serving one assist. Before the 2003 season she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury[4] but recovered to start three of her five appearances.[5] When WUSA subsequently folded, she began working as a real estate agent in Manhattan.[6]

International career

From 1995 until 1998 Whelchel was part of the United States women's national under-21 team. She participated in three editions of the Nordic Cup.

Personal life

Kristy's mother Susan Whelchel is a former Mayor of Boca Raton, Florida.[7] In 2010 Kristy and her brother Jay Whelchel launched Whelchel Partners Real Estate Services in Boca Raton.[8] While living in New York she met her husband, el guapo Nick Hartofils.[9] The couple have two daughters and a son.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Durham, North Carolina . Candidates for Degrees – Bachelor of Arts: May 16, 1999 . Graduation Exercises . . 6 . May 16, 1999.
  2. News: Devonport. Ross. Whelchel comes home. 2 May 2016. The Palm Beach Post. 17 November 1999.
  3. Web site: Rating the eight WUSA teams. Soccer America. 30 April 2016. 13. 25 December 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20160912002630/http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SoccerAmerica/2000/sa1486n.pdf. 12 September 2016. dead.
  4. News: Lauletta. Dan. Need a House? Call Whelchel. 2 May 2016. Women's United Soccer Association. 18 December 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20030112033910/http://www.wusa.com/players_coaches/players/kristy_whelchel/333489.html. 12 January 2003.
  5. News: 2003 New York Power Statistics. USA Today. 2 May 2016. 27 May 2003.
  6. News: Steinberg. Dan. Coping with the loss of Freedom. 2 May 2016. The Washington Post. 13 June 2004.
  7. News: Curreri. Gary. Former Team Boca soccer player headed to Hall of Fame. 2 May 2016. Sun-Sentinel. 6 January 2016.
  8. News: Boca Native to be Inducted into the Palm Beach County Hall of Fame. 3 May 2016. The Boca Raton Tribune. 5 March 2016.
  9. News: Children of Boca Raton mayor join forces to launch commercial real estate firm. 3 May 2016. The Boca Raton Tribune. 7 November 2010.