SANDPOINT — Having already earned plenty of state and regional recognition for his soccer exploits, Sandpoint senior Tanner Williams recently received an award that jumps  straight to the top of his burgeoning resume — selection on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America 2010 Boys All-American Soccer Team.

Williams becomes the first soccer player from Sandpoint to earn the national honor, one of just 77 players from around the U.S. recognized and the lone player from Idaho.

The selection validates what Sandpoint boys head coach Adam Tajan has been saying all year, that Williams is among the elite players nationally in his age group. Tajan called it a huge award that speaks volumes about the soccer community and the programs that have helped hone his considerable skills, from SSA to Strikers to the powerhouse Bulldog teams.

“I’ve seen Tanner compete at many different levels throughout his career and his speed, technical ability and competitive attitude are what separate him from other players his age,” says Tajan of his departing senior. “I’ve taken Tanner to showcase tournaments in our region and seen him compete against some of the best players and teams on the west coast. In that environment his competitive mentality shines through and it becomes very obvious why he has been so successful at so many different levels.”

Williams scored 24 goals and dished out nine dimes as a senior at Sandpoint, despite plenty of attention from opposing defenses. He also was named MVP after dominating a summer camp at Oregon State University, and has excelled nationally on a regional ODP team. Despite the performances, he called the All-American status “pretty surprising.”

He recently sent a letter of intent to Concordia University in Portland, Ore., where he plans to be re-united on the pitch with former teammates Tanner French and Daniel Anderson, both of whom are transferring to Concordia from Oregon State and Cal State Stanislaus, respectively.

“We talked about it and wanted to play with each other for four years,” says Williams of playing at the NAIA soccer power. “I like Portland, it’s close to home and my parents can come and see me play.”

Williams was also invited by Steve Sampson, former head coach of the LA Galaxy and U.S. men’s national team, to play this summer in Brazil, Austria and Germany with top soccer players from around the globe. He’s not sure if he’ll be able to make the trip, but it shows the level Williams has reached that he was even invited.

Right now he’s focused on basketball, having turned out as a senior for his first year of basketball at the behest of his father Terry Williams. After that he’ll turn his attention to playing at Concordia, and from there possibly at the professional level.

“That’s the goal, that’s what I’m trying to achieve,” he says. “I have faith in myself. I believe that I could do it.”