Personal Statement
My story begins in 2007 as a 4-year-old boy in the small Eastern Iowa town of Belle Plaine. I played your typical small-town sports - t-ball, football, and basketball but it was soccer that caught my attention and is the sport I have grown to love and am passionate about.
Two years later my family moved to Omaha, NE. I played recreational soccer for a couple years, but it wasn’t enough. In 2011 I made a local clubs 4th academy team where I was able to play competitively. Although this was the lowest team at this level, it was where I found my drive to be the best on the field. Through hard work I was moved up to the second team in 2012.
I continued to work hard, outhustling those around me, and in the fall of 2013, I joined the first team. In the fall of 2014, the team moved to Elite Boys Academy (EBA). This was the inaugural year for the boys’ side of the Elite Academy club. In 2020, Elite Academy and Gretna Soccer club merged to create Gretna Elite Academy (GEA) and GEA is the club I play for now.
In 2015 I was selected head captain by my teammates, and I’m honored to still hold this responsibility today. Leading the team and being the example both on and off the field is a big responsibility but it is one I take seriously. Outside of my team captain responsibilities, I’ve been blessed with both team and individual accomplishments.
- 6x Team Captain (Current)
- 3x State Cup Champion
- 2019 Nebraska State Cup Best XI
- 2018 Club Male Player of the Year
- 4x Midwest ODP player pool selections
- 3x Club Team Total Points Leader
- 4x Club Team Total Assists Leader
- 3x Club Team Total Goals Leader
- 2019 National Cup Midwest Regional Champion
- 2019 National Cup Finals Semifinalist
- 2019 USL Academy Cup Selection with Union Omaha
Off the pitch, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s swimming, playing a pick-up game of football or basketball with friends or spending time on the shore or water, fishing. I like fishing because it’s relaxing and teaches patience. Juggling academics and soccer, I also work at a grocery store not far from my house. I love helping others and putting a smile on their face.
I am extremely excited to compete at the collegiate level and finding the right fit both academically and athletically is critical to my success. I understand that whether it's academics and/or soccer, the work won’t stop. I want to compete at the highest level possible and the right fit for me is a program that believes in the following…
- High Standards / Core Values
- Strong Culture
- Coaching Staff Who Is Passionate About What They Do
- Playing Out of the Back / Possession Play
