Dameon Solorzano '23 Recruiting Profile

When I was younger, there were those kids that always were too scared to challenge themselves in any activity. But not me. In any activity or anything I could participate in, I would always go hard meaning no fear in what I could injure. Then that backfired and got me injured a lot. When I was little I always wondered if there were ways to get better quicker, and I thought being a doctor would be the coolest. But then that dream got shut down after going to the doctors and getting a lot shots in my arm, which I still hate to this day.
The biggest reason I’d say for me deciding to choose the medical field path would be the “great” time I had in Las Vegas for a tournament. In 2020 before covid I was playing club soccer, and my coach decided to take us to Las Vegas to play. It was an exciting time because it was my first time going to Las Vegas and getting to play soccer down there, even better. Then when we finally flew out and landed it was crazy to just be there knowing we play in 3 hours. To clarify we took off at seven AM and landed about two or three in the afternoon. But continuing with the rest of the story. We got to the hotel, got settled and then geared up and left. Got to the fields and you could feel the heat pounding even if it was like five or six PM. We played the game and we tied. It was a good game. Then our coach said we had a late 8 pm game. We got quick little snack and got ready for the game. So, the games going, and I get subbed in. Pretty intense game and then one play happened which a through ball got played and our left back was out of position, so I had to chase the guy down. I got it out but when I did, I lost my balance and the guy pushed be also which made me roll backwards. After I got up, two secs and I feel my wrist feel a little weird and when I look at it… it was dislocated, and the wrist bone was sitting on top of the other arm bone. Luckily the hospital was coincidentally down the road. Then I get my wrist back I place, flew back with the team, and got surgery the next day when I got back. Few months go by, and my doctor said I had to do physical therapy to get my wrist completely healed and back get the muscle back I had lost while it was casted. I had heard a lot about physical therapy but didn't really think it would be a career I was interested in until I was hurt and attended physical therapy appointments twice a week. With the help of the physical therapists and my parents I decided that physical therapy would be the career path I pursue. All of my strains and breaks in middle and high school have helped me in choosing my career path. I’m excited to see what my future holds in this career I have chosen and I can't wait to help others.

For my short-term goals, I want to finish my final year of high school soccer and then graduate at the end of the year. After graduation,  I will be focusing on getting for college and college soccer. 

My intended career goal is to become a physical therapist. I plan to start studying kinesiology as my major and graduate with a bachelor’s degree. After graduation, I plan to apply into a Doctor of Physical Therapy program to complete my education. Once I earn my doctorates degree in physical therapy, I plan to come back to my community and work with student athletes like myself. 

What makes me a good candidate for your team?
* I am always positive after every game even through struggles of a loss!
* I would encourage the team to talk about all of the positive plays or situations in the game so we can work on a plan for the next game.
* I am usually the loudest on the field letting everyone know where other players are. Talking on the field is key to any good team!
* I receive feedback well and take what you would say to heart and really think about it.
* I care about my team and I know that team work is what makes a great team! 

 What makes me different from all of the other recruits?
* I always have a fun positive attitude!
* I am education driven as I have a huge goal for myself in pursing my future career.
* Soccer has been my life since I could walk and I live and breathe it.
* I am always a dedicated player on and off the field.
* Even if it is not soccer season, I am still working out, practicing and making sure I keep myself in shape for the next year.