Ian Poe '20 Recruiting Profile

I am a Junior at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland. I enjoy science and math, and I am interested in pursuing a pre-med track or a biomedical science degree in college. This past summer I was accepted into the University of Maryland's summer biomedical research program, and it was incredible to be in the labs learning about CRISPR and new technology with other students from around the country. I'm excited to be in a position where I can soon begin to concentrate my area of study on science and biomedical research.

Soccer has been a passion of mine since I was four years old. I am a center midfielder, and I typically play the 6 position. I excel at playing out of the back and opening the field of play to create opportunities for strikers. My early coaches in Puerto Rico were all from Argentina, and they taught me the power of possession and the opportunities that can be created by changing the direction of play. Since I am equally powerful with both feet, I can maintain possession when being aggressively challenged and I can almost always deliver a good pass.

I am the starting center midfielder for Bethesda Soccer Club’s Blue 01 (U18) team, and I am also practice with their U19 Academy team. My current coach is Kert Mease, and Jonathon Colton is the Bethesda's director of coaching. Each of these coaches can speak to my work ethic and athletic potential.

I also play soccer for the Walt Whitman High School varsity team, and I have been their starting defensive center midfielder for the last two years. This year we won the Maryland State 4a tournament with a record of 15-0-1. Dave Green is the head coach.

I have played soccer all my life. Growing up in Puerto Rico, I played on a club team, and I was always playing soccer on the beach or pickup games in the neighborhood. It is part of my identity, but it is also an organizing principle. I know I must balance academics and practice, and I have been very successful at doing both. I am excited to be moving onto the university level and continuing my success on and off the pitch.