MARYSVILLE – Breaking down barriers is an important phrase nationwide, referring to a number of different topics.

But Marysville Getchell High School broke through a barrier this week that it’s faced since its inception in 2010.

Its athletic program has a team going to state.

While some athletes have done well in individual sports, the girls soccer team is the first squad to make it.

“It’s breaking some new ground here,” said Kurt Holstein, who has been athletic director at MG for five years.

The accomplishment seems even more positive considering the school has been going through some controversial changes the past few years.

“The kids and staff are excited; the parents and booster club are proud,” Holstein said.

He said the girls have really stepped up since a few girls were injured recently.

“They are starting to jell,” Holstein said.

Coach Kyle Suits said the girls are “physically and emotionally tough.

“Their success as a team is because they care about being successful individuals, and they bring that desire on to the athletic field,” he said.

Suits added they are well-rounded. They do well in class. They go to school. They show up to practice.

“They are all engaged. It’s clear to me that they all want to be successful. These kids have all pulled in the same direction at the same time,” he said.

Greg Erickson, who has been the school district’s athletic director for 25 years, said he is most impressed how the team has come together after losing those key players.

“It’s fantastic to see how they responded to that,” Erickson said. “They overcame adversity to get to this point.”

The team’s success is not a complete surprise. The team was bounced from the playoffs last year, they learned from it, and that experience carried over to this year, he said.

“The coach has done a fantastic job with the program,” Erickson said of Suits, adding the squad won a play-in game, beat one of the top teams and is now headed to state.

“For Getchell’s young program it’s a big deal,” he said, as the high school itself has only been around starting its eighth year.

Even though this is the first MG team to go to state, Erickson did not want to downplay how well other teams and individuals have done.

“Our goal is to give them quality experiences and the opportunity for success,” he said.

District Superintendent Becky Berg added, “We are thrilled that our young women have worked hard at honing their skills and are now representing MGHS as their first-ever state team.”