_0.jpg)
Lemoore High School sister duo ink letters to play soccer for Fresno State
The sisters, the daughters of Jeff and Tina Chedester and two-thirds of a set of triplets that includes a brother, Billy. Other members of the family include Mandy 19, Scott, 24, and Katie, 26. All were on hand Thursday morning in the Lemoore High School Event Center as both sisters gleefully penned their names to their respective letters.
The two are four-year players for the Tiger varsity and will play Friday in the second round of the Central Section Division III playoffs. They will take on the Section’s No. 1 seed, Independence High School on Friday, Feb. 16.
On Wednesday, Lemoore scored six goals in a 6-0 shutout of Yosemite High School to advance in the playoffs.
The two beauties have been playing soccer since they were five years old. “We coached them when they were in the city league, five and under,” said a proud papa, Jeff Chedester, also a Lemoore City Councilmember.
“Since we were about five years old we’ve been playing soccer, but in club soccer, it’s been since about the seventh grade, and it has been the best experience,” said Chloe.
Mom and Dad have some pretty good athletic genes too. Jeff was a championship wrestler in high school, while Tina was at one point probably one of the best softball pitchers in the Valley, eventually playing for Fresno State.
The young women, who played club soccer with South Valley United during the off-season, picked Fresno State over Biola, which also courted the talented athletes.
“It’s always been our dream to play at the D-1 level together,” said a smiling Sami. “We had the opportunity, and we took it.”
Sister Chloe echoed her sister’s comments: “I chose Fresno State over Biola because I’m a family person, and I love the fact that my parents can come to my games and that I’m close to home. It’s division 1, and I’m very competitive. I wanted to play at the highest level possible especially being with my sister. It’s a dream come true,” she beamed.
They will be playing for Fresno State’s Brian Zwaschka, The Bulldog's coach since 2009. Zwaschka led the Bulldogs to three Western Athletic Conference tournament appearances, including one championship in 2010, three Mountain West tournament appearances, and one NCAA tournament appearance.
In 2017 the Bulldogs had a mediocre season, finishing 10-6-4 overall and 5-4-1 in conference play.
Chloe will major in kinesiology. “I hope to become a physical therapist in the future.”
Sami intends to major in communications and wants to become a sports broadcaster.
