Gamaliel Ortiz '25 Recruiting Profile

My parents thought that my twin brother and I would be basketball players because that's what my father played in college.  After talking to a basketball coach, he suggested that since my brother and I were only 5 years old, we should try soccer first because of all the benefits it had.  It has been 11 years since that conversation and definitely soccer is the sport I fell in love forever and plan to stay as long as I have health.  It has been always my dream to become a professional in the athletic training/exercise science field while representing my college in the soccer team.   As a player and son, I want to make myself and my parents proud and say that all the sacrifice they have made for me was worth it all this time. What makes me a good candidate for a team is my character on the field, my mentality, the support I bring to my teammates when they are having a bad game or day, and my leadership skills. I can play different positions like outside back on both sides and winger on both sides as well.  Other thing that makes me a good candidate is that when I play on the wing, I like to do 1v1 when I can and if I can not, I find a way to connect with my midfield player for other options. What makes me different from other recruits in character is that I am a team player and I like to prepare mentally and physically because in this sport you need to be ready all the time and in excellent condition.   In terms of athletics, I have the ability to play several sports. In addition to soccer, I love track and field, indoor soccer, and long distance races. As to academics, I maintain a balance between soccer and school, I maximize my free time in doing school work and thankfully my grades are excellent. I trust in myself always and I know that the discipline I have learned during these 11 years playing soccer will help me through my college years.  I like to work in group, help other people if they have the need and be a nice person to everybody.