Barrett Freeman '23 Recruiting Profile

Being named captain of my varsity soccer team at the start of my sophomore year may be the defining point of my soccer career to this point. It impacted me more as a player than any other big moment in a game or tournament. It was the point when I realized that my hard work and dedication had been noticed by my teammates and that they trusted me to guide us to being the best team we could be. This role helped me realize that my coaches and team placed their faith in me by naming me captain. It changed the way I thought of myself as a player and gave me the confidence I hadn’t known I was previously playing without, to be the player I know I can be. It gave me permission to release my inner captain.

Our fall 2020 season was shortened due to Covid, but we still made it into the State Quarterfinals even after some key injuries and setbacks. After the season, I applied and was accepted into the Governor’s Institute of Vermont’s Advanced Leadership Immersion program and the HOBY Leadership Conference. I wanted to be the best leader I could be for not only my high school team, but my club and ODP teams as well. Even though I feel like I did a good job in my first year as captain, I know I can do better. It’s the mindset I’ve had about myself as a player since I was little, and now I am applying that same sense of I can maybe get a little bit better every day to being a leader for my team. I want to leave my highschool knowing I made a difference both on and off the field. I want to graduate knowing that I did everything in my power as a captain to have a team that respects one another, makes it farther into the playoffs each year, and possibly even winning a state championship.  

I am excited for our upcoming season. I feel I have grown as a player and leader since our fall season. This past year has been so hard and yet so rewarding in so many ways. After being named captain, accepted into the leadership programs, finishing as the Runner-up in the D2 100m Dash State Track Championship race, and having a strong spring Club season, I made my state’s ODP team and was selected for the Regional ODP Camp. This will be my first full season as a captain, and I am excited about my next challenges and the possibilities they will bring.