Clubs: TUFC, TTHFC, Real Salt Lake Az, Barca Academy Az, Florida Elite SA
AKRON ANNOUNCEMENT
What are some of your best memories with our club?
My
favorite memories with my Tallahassee clubs are probably just all of
the friendships I made through playing soccer at a young age. All of the
memories we made messing around at hotels on tournament weekends make
me smile when I look back on them. I also think back to all of the
developing and learning I made a young age in my soccer career and
believe that is one of the main reasons I have made it as far as I have.
How did you handle being away from home for long periods?
Moving
across the country from everything I knew and loved at just the age of
14 was definitely not an easy transition for me. I struggled with
homesickness at a young age and for the first few weeks in Arizona;
however, when I stepped outside on the soccer field all of my worries,
anxieties, and stresses went away. I think that constant love for the
game and will to chase my dream helped me push through the darker days. I
did not do it alone though, I met some amazing people along the way and
developed really good friendships with them. My parents also provided
an outlet or place of relief because they were always a phone call away
and whenever I had a rough day or was questioning my future they would
help me out of it.
What or who were some of your driving influences on route to becoming a Div 1 student-athlete?
I
believe that my love for the game of soccer is one of the main driving
influences that pushed me to get where I am today. That love for the
game of soccer was developed by and with my coaches and teammates at an
early age. Dave Scott and Tim Jones along with all of my teammates are
responsible for that. However, a think a lot of the credit has to go to
my parents. This is because they always kept me level headed and focused
on my future. They drove me hours and hours around Florida and then let
their only child move across the country from them at the age of 14 to
chase his dream. This has helped me realized how much my parents have
done for me and how they are the main reason I am a D1 student-athlete. I
also want to repay them for everything they have done for, so that goal
still pushes me to this day.
What would you say to your 13-year-old soccer playing self today?
I
would say enjoy playing soccer and having fun with it while you can.
Keep developing your love for the game and never stop working. The next
few years of your life will contain some crazy ups and downs along with
challenges you have never faced; however, you will also start realizing
the kind of person you want to be and what kind of people you should
surround yourself with. Soccer will become somewhat of a job and the
competition will only get harder, but don't lose track of that love for
the game. Also, don't forget the people that are helping you right not
because they will deserve as much credit for your success as you do. The
grind does not stop.
What's your next long term objective?
My
next long term objective is to graduate college and receive my Bachelor
of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Hopefully, at that point, I would
be selected for the MLS draft and have the possibility of going pro in
the United States. However, if that does not happen I might take a year
or two to explore Europe and see if I can continue my soccer career
overseas. But my main goal whatever happens, is to repay my parents for
everything they have done for me because they deserve it and are the
reason I am the person I am today.