- 2019 Highlights #2
Personal Statement
My name is Cole Grab, currently a Senior at USPA (U.S. Performance Academy) online school carrying a Cumulative 3.8GPA and a 4.0GPA weighted with Honors. I am a Center Attacking Midfielder for GPS International Academy Spain in Valencia Spain but, can also be a crafty right or left winger. My first year in Spain, 2016/2017, as a Junior, I attended Caxton College a British A-Level private boarding school that GPS partnered with and classified as an international student. Before accepting the letter of intent March 2017 to play for GPS International Academy Valencia Spain, I played for St Louis Scott Gallagher Premier/Elite and attended CBC (Christian Brothers College) High School. At CBC, my freshman and sophomore years I was a B-team starter both years and one of only two underclassmen to be a Varsity reserve. The decision to leave my family, friends, soccer club and high school at age 16 was incredibly hard but, after talking with a lot of people, I decided to accept and I grew up quick the last two years. Besides the soccer training, matches and tournaments all over Europe that been incredible, it has been a great culture experience.
I currently train regularly with GPS International Academy, Valencia C.F. Academy and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid SAD Reserve 2nd team Segunda Division (LaLiga's 3rd Division) each week where I’m the youngest. During my first year, I was invited to train and play for a LaLiga Division 4 team, C.D. Rumbo Academy. I ended the 2017/2018 year playing for my primary team GPS, continued to train with Valencia C.F., and had appearances with C.D. Rumbo and Atletico Museros in league matches. I am seeking college recruitment and placement in Fall of 2020. I am actively pursuing top competitive collegiate programs and university's for my collegiate career.
I’ve been playing soccer since age 6 at higher levels and always played up in age. I've played and trained in Holland twice, 2015 and 2016, for a hand-picked select team from the Dutch Touch soccer ID program; a Dutch trained selective Id camp staffed by Dutch coaches who selects players that make up a team to go to Holland to train and play exhibition matches throughout Holland against Pro-Academy level club teams. I was the MVP chosen by the coaching staff both years. I've achieved a few league championships and a Missouri State Cup Title with club teams and, a former Missouri ODP player.
I am quick and crafty CAM and, can play left or right wing. My dominant foot is my right but, I can and do use both right and left with accuracy and good power and accuracy. I have a very high work rate that is reliable, hard working, technical, and committed. In addition to my NCSA (Next College Student Athlete) profile, I have additional online profiles at PrepHero and GPS' Global Premier Scholarships.
I am actively pursuing top tier most competitive collegiate soccer programs with a coach staff that will continue to develop, teach and challenge me like they have in Spain. Connecting from oversees with an 8hr time difference is quite challenging but, I am committed to reach out and connect as much as possible with collegiate coaches directly through emails and Skype calls despite my busy soccer and academic schedule.
I am not just another domestic soccer player, I was a high level domestic player that was scouted and recruited to be a part of an international academy in Spain at 16. I have and continue to play at pro-academy levels in Spanish Futbol's Tercera Division (LaLiga's 4th Division), have played in the 1st Regional Division (LaLiga's 5th Division) and, in May 2019 was invited to train through the end of June 2019 with Rayo Vallecano de Madrid's Pro-Academy 2nd team (Reserves) squad in the Segunda Division (LaLiga's 3rd Division) from their observation scouting of me a the M.I.C. (Mediterranean International Cup) in April 2019.
Besides futbol, my academics are very important. I want to have the total package, high level competitive soccer and academics. As an international student, and worldly experienced player, I bring a pro-academy level Spanish soccer style and experience to a collegiate program. I am fully prepared to play and meet the demands and commitment top collegiate soccer requires as I have grown up quickly being on my own for two years from age 16 living in Valencia's soccer residence and maintaining a 3.8 GPA in Honors and AP courses. I am blessed and very fortunate to have this experience and ready for my next step in my soccer journey at the highest collegiate level.
Cole Grab #17
GPS International Academy Spain
Valencia, Spain
