Athlete of the Month
By Saya Fujii
By Saya Fujii
On high school sports teams, freshmen and sophomores typically compete on the junior varsity squad. However, Owen Helm, 10, already has varsity soccer games under his belt from his freshman year and is looking to be a varsity starter in his sophomore season.
As a center midfielder, Helm has to work with the players around him to progress the ball up the field.
“Owen is a great midfielder with phenomenal technical ability who has provided depth and quality in the middle of the field for us,” said Ivan Valchuk, 12.
Last year on the varsity squad, Helm was coached by general manager Nick Hoffman, who was previously the head coach. Hoffman is looking forward to Helm being among the potential leaders on the team despite only being a sophomore.
“He's been there every day, he's ready to go, and I think a lot of the upperclassmen recognize that, they know that he's serious about it,” said Hoffman.
Right back Sean Purvis, 11, feels that Helm brings up the team morale and makes friends with teammates easily.
“He has shown his dedication by being able to adapt to the team and their emotions while playing, whether we are happy and we are winning or angry if we are losing,” said Purvis.
Helm started on JV last year as a freshman, but was brought up to varsity midseason where he adjusted quickly.
“When we brought him in he was a freshman trying to come into varsity and he jumped in there and it was pretty seamless in terms of him working on the field and just kind of being one of the guys on the team, it wasn't like he was out of place, on or off the field,” said Hoffman.
As a center midfielder, Helm has to work with the players around him to progress the ball up the field.
“Owen is a great midfielder with phenomenal technical ability who has provided depth and quality in the middle of the field for us,” said Ivan Valchuk, 12.
Last year on the varsity squad, Helm was coached by general manager Nick Hoffman, who was previously the head coach. Hoffman is looking forward to Helm being among the potential leaders on the team despite only being a sophomore.
“He's been there every day, he's ready to go, and I think a lot of the upperclassmen recognize that, they know that he's serious about it,” said Hoffman.
Right back Sean Purvis, 11, feels that Helm brings up the team morale and makes friends with teammates easily.
“He has shown his dedication by being able to adapt to the team and their emotions while playing, whether we are happy and we are winning or angry if we are losing,” said Purvis.
Helm started on JV last year as a freshman, but was brought up to varsity midseason where he adjusted quickly.
“When we brought him in he was a freshman trying to come into varsity and he jumped in there and it was pretty seamless in terms of him working on the field and just kind of being one of the guys on the team, it wasn't like he was out of place, on or off the field,” said Hoffman.