Originally published Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 12:00 AM

Parade names Besagno Player of Year in soccer

Something big was on Nikolas Besagno's mind yesterday, and it wasn't just being named Parade's 2005 Player of the Year for boys soccer yesterday...

By Michael Ko

Seattle Times staff reporter

Something big was on Nikolas Besagno's mind yesterday, and it wasn't just being named Parade's 2005 Player of the Year for boys soccer yesterday.

"I'm in study hall right now," Besagno, 16, said via cellphone from Bradenton, Fla. "I've got finals tomorrow."

Besagno has had a lot to think about in the past year.

He has a professional contract with Real Salt Lake, which he signed after being picked first overall in January's Major League Soccer draft.

He will play in the Under-17 World Cup in Peru, where he'll travel in September as part of the American national team.

And the individual honors have accumulated, including the crystal trophy he will receive for winning the Parade award.

The magazine previously chose at least two national soccer players of the year from the state — one girl and one boy. Nick Downing of Eastlake in Sammamish was honored in 1998 and Justi Baumgardt of Federal Way in 1993.

This year's team honors 35 players from 12 states.

Besagno, who grew up in Maple Valley, graduates from high school Saturday — a year early — from Edison Academy. He has been in Florida since spring 2004 to live and train with the U-17 national squad. He attended Kennedy High School in Burien before that.

Besagno's parents fly out Thursday from Maple Valley to watch the ceremony and spend a few days celebrating. After that, Nikolas heads back to Utah to rejoin the pros.

"We're excited for him, and we're proud of him," said Besagno's mother, Barb. "But we miss him."

Besagno is happy about the Parade honor, which will officially be announced in Sunday's editions of the magazine.

"That's sweet. It's awesome to be recognized like that," he said.

Besagno, a 6-foot, 175-pound midfielder, is one of two players from the state to be named a Parade All-American. The other is Preston Zimmerman of Pasco.

Besagno's older brother, Jacob, also plays professional soccer, for the Seattle Sounders.

Michael Ko: 206-515-5653 or mko@seattletimes.com

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