Normal Community West senior defender Tess Marcordes (right) was instrumental in helping the Wildcats' girls soccer team to their best finish in school history this season, as Normal West placed second in Class 2A after being edged by Lake Forest in penalty kicks in the 2A title match.

Marcordes posted solid numbers in 2014, tallying seven goals, five assists and contributing to a defense that posted 17 shutouts. However, as chronicled in this linked Bloomington Pantagraph story, her most valuable attribute may have been possessing the ability to utilize the flip throw technique when throwing the ball in. See Marcodes in action in the state finals via the GIFs below from the 2014 state finals, using the flip throw. Marcordes (athleticism runs in her family, brother Tyler plays football for Georgia Tech) can routinely throw the ball 40 yards on her flip throws.

All photos used in the GIFs below are courtesy of Visual Image Photography: