Personal Statement
My name is Billy Castoro and I am in my junior year of high school. My club team is the Massapequa Titans 02’ team. I am also the Captain of the Garden City High School Varsity soccer team. During my freshman year, I was pulled up to the Varsity team for the playoffs and was a starter in my sophomore year. Our team went to the New York State Championships for the first time since 1996. I was the starting Center back, and throughout the season our team was continuously noticed for our defense. I was recognized as an All-State player, as well as being named to the All-Long Island second team. For the fall of my junior year, I was featured in Newsday as a Player to Watch. I work very hard on and off the field to be the best student-athlete that I can be. I am a player that not only has athletic ability, but also reads the game. While I may not be the biggest player on the field, I pride myself on that I can out-think players, and I have the tenacity to persevere through every play.
While I had an outstanding fall in 2017, in March of 2018, I had an unfortunate injury where I broke my leg during a soccer game and was out for the next six months. I was determined to get back on the field, and in September of my junior year, with doctor’s clearance, I was able to play. Unfortunately, I was devastated when I broke my leg for a second time during my first game back. I had surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City where they found that my initial break had never healed correctly. I was cleared 9 weeks later. While recovering, I stood on the sidelines and watched my team go to the county championship game, but we unfortunately lost. Now, I am more determined than ever.
I am ready to be part of an outstanding soccer team that believes in working hard together. My injury gave me clarity on what I want in college, which is not only a great education, but also the challenge of playing competitive soccer. Along with my injury came the experience of seeing many fields of study that work around athletes. I look forward to exploring classes that can help me decide where my future can bring me.