This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sandy • When Alta midfielder Christian Bain was learning to talk, his first word was not "mom" or "dad." It was "ball."
Bain, The Salt Lake Tribune's 2015 boys' soccer Most Valuable Player, said he participated in sports before he could walk.
"Even when I was crawling, I was trying to kick the ball around," said Bain, a friendly and well-spoken near-straight-A student who led the Hawks to their first soccer championship since 2011.
Bain's ability to control a game from his midfield position impressed teammates, coaches and opponents alike.
"He was a really tough kid to handle," said Brighton coach Tom Cushing, whose Bengals lost to Alta in the 5A state championship game and whose team played the Hawks three times. "He had such a great feel for his team and a great feel for the game in general. Midfield play is kind of the key to winning soccer games. You want to keep the ball in the area of the field where you want it kept. Christian was always in the correct position."
Alta goalie Alex Johnson, who first started playing on teams with Bain in grade school, always came away impressed with his teammate's work ethic.
"Christian is the most dedicated soccer player I have ever met in my life," said Johnson. "From the fourth or fifth grade on, when I saw him, he always had a soccer ball at his feet. It was essentially his life, balancing that with school. He excels academically. He is one of the most driven players I have ever met. He brought a ton of leadership to our team. He was able to show that by the example of how hard he works, and his relationships with other players."
Veteran Alta coach Lee Mitchell said Bain brought many talents to his team.
"He reads the field really well and sees things many times that other players don't," said the Hawk coach. "He has always been a positive influence on our team."
Bain finished his senior season with eight goals and 13 assists, a stat that he said showed how many weapons Alta had this season.
"Our team this year did not have [just] one goalscorer," said Bain. "We got scoring from every position. We had four players on the top scoring list in 5A."
Bain will follow his father's footsteps and go on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Brazil in October. Bain's father has five Brazil jerseys representing different years. The family also housed an exchange student from Brazil when Christian was 8 years old.
Bain isn't sure his mission president will allow him to attend a soccer game while he is in Brazil, but he expects he could be allowed to play the sport because it is a good way to get to know the people in the country.
That said, he will be in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 when the Summer Olympics will be held. He is hoping that he might be utilized as a translator during the games.
Bain plans to attend BYU and play on its Professional Development League club team.
"I like to do the unexpected thing by getting other people open and getting them the ball," said the Alta senior. "I like to cause chaos for the other team."
Bain said that while the 2014 Alta team might have had more talent, this year's squad used a good attitude and strong work ethic to win the state title.
"We all thought we could do great things if we worked hard and had good, positive attitudes," he said. "We were glad to be there, and that amplified our confidence. Before and after practice, we always talked. When we got to practice, we put the work in and then had fun after. … It was never miserable to be there. I loved it."
An excellent student who plans to study mechanical or electrical engineering, Bain is an avid mountain biker who enjoys riding ATVs, likes camping, jumps on trampolines and negotiates a ninja warrior course.
"I just love going and doing things outside," he said.
And, of course, there is that love for soccer, an innate sort of affection for a sport that he seemed destined to play before he could walk.
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About Christian Bain
• Three-year starter at midfield scored eight goals and had 13 assists this season as Alta won its first state title since 2011
• Plans on majoring in mechanical or electrical engineering at BYU, where he also hopes to play for the school's semi-pro Professional Development League team
• Has been called to an LDS Church mission to Rio de Janeiro in October