- 2017 Highlights #2
Personal Statement
I believe I have the character and soccer IQ to make a material contribution at a highly competitive soccer program. I have been the leader and the player my teammates have looked to as an enforcer or an impact player since age 7, when I started Club soccer in 2006. I believe that I am driven to work and play harder as, until recently, I have had a father-assistant coach along with a twin sister as a teammate for my entire soccer career. Additionally, because I made a choice to stay with a non-ECNL club to continue to play for my Dad as a coach and with my sister as a teammate, I feel that I have had to invest more time in practice, film study and games to demonstrate that I can play at the highest level. It is this effort and drive which assisted me in making varsity at SMCHS as a freshman, which rarely occurs at SMCHS. Further, it is this same work ethic and desire that I believe will pay dividends at the next level in college both on and off the field. An example of this commitment is below.
During the fall of my freshman year, I chose to run XC in order to place myself in the best possible physical condition. I do not particularly enjoy running long distance, in fact, I despise it, but I did so to increase my chances to make the varsity soccer team as a freshman. The XC season was long and very difficult. We trained 4-5 days per week, running as much as 25 miles per week along with some speed and interval training. Meets were very painful. Nevertheless, by the end of the season, I had shown great improvement each and every meet and finished in excellent physical condition. Furthermore, this was done while carrying a full academic load at school and meeting all my Club soccer practices and game commitments. I do not believe that there are many student-athletes who would participate in a grueling sport like XC just to improve their physical condition and chances to reach a goal. Again, it is this drive and determination that I believe sets me apart.
