Sophia Alt, a 16-year-old junior at Elyria High School, caught a pass on the last play of the JV Pioneers' season finale against Midview, picking up several yards before a Middies defender brought her down. The reception produced no points and did not change the result: Elyria lost 14-30.
Alt came to Elyria from Germany in August on what was planned as a half-year exchange. She has since chosen to remain through the end of her junior year. Brent Parker, an Elyria school board member whose family is hosting her, told News 5 Cleveland that she has settled in with the household and will stay until the school year ends.
Watching Friday night games at Ely Stadium made her want to play, according to the account. Parker said the family was at first uneasy about the physical nature of the sport and discussed it with Alt and with her mother in Germany before deciding to let her try. Partway through the season, the head coach gave her a spot on the JV roster; she practiced, dressed for games and appeared for a few minutes in several of them. Teammates and coaches were supportive, and the final play was arranged so that she would be the receiver, the story said.
Alt also plays volleyball and intends to join the wrestling and flag football teams later in the school year.