Personal Statement
Before the high school season started, I and the other captains told the team that there were no guarantees. With the situation of the pandemic, we had no idea how long our season was going to last and if we would have the chance to finish it. It's a cliche, but we told the team to play every game like it was our last. The team took it to heart, and we got out to our best start in my four years at 4-2-1, leading our conference standings. Unfortunately, those seven games were the only ones I would play until sectionals as I suffered a stress reaction in my foot in the fourth game of the season. I tried to keep playing but the pain in the foot was too much to run and there was a chance it could become a more severe injury so I had to miss several games before the team was sidelined by COVID-19. It was frustrating, as it was the first time in my career I had missed games due to injury. It was difficult watching my team struggle at times knowing I could play 30 minutes to try and change things. Looking back though, I’m grateful I was able to play those seven games and get one last game in sectionals, and set the standard, and change the culture. Our school was on an eight-year sectional title drought, and the team that returned this year lost eight starters. Most people wrote us off but we had something special going in those seven games. We weren’t the most talented or experienced team, but we played hard for each other and I’m excited to see what the underclassmen can do in the future.
I’m looking forward to my club season, I’m even more excited to play and make up for the time I lost. I’ll be shifting from attacking mid to left back, which I’ve played for the past 4 years for my club along with some time at center back and as a defensive midfielder. Our team is an 02/03 combination, as most of our 02s graduated last summer. Despite being a new team, we’re off to a great start, winning our bracket in the Indianapolis College Showcase.
Losing my spring club season, summer ID camps, and summer high school training was not something I expected to go through, but I’m glad I was able to benefit from the winter season. I got the chance to also play with my club’s 01 team as well as my 02 team for a few showcases. It was a great experience as it allowed me to play against tougher competition and gave me more opportunities to test myself. One of my favorite events during the winter was the Disney Showcase, as we got the chance to play other top teams around the nation and it was a great bonding experience.
Along with high school and club, I also participated in the Olympic Development Program. Looking back on my ODP career, I will remember the many places it enabled me to travel to, and the friendships I made with teammates from around Indiana. ODP helped me transition into a better defender, as I went up against better competition. It also helped my composure on the ball, since I was asked to create from the back. ODP gave me a different view of the game because the different coaches I worked with had many varying ideas and tips.
I challenge myself in school by taking all the honors and AP classes that are available to me. I am also involved in other activities outside of soccer, including Science Olympiad, Best Buddies, and Unified Track. I have been involved with Science Olympiad since 7th grade, and I have been in Best Buddies and Unified Track since I was a freshman.
