Austin Russo '16 Recruiting Profile

My name is Austin Russo I currently have a 3.4 GPA and have taken an SAT and waiting the results. I am looking for a good school and to play soccer at the highest level possible. I play possession style soccer; a style where 1 to 2 touch soccer is crucial to succeed. I plan to continue my understanding of the game. I am a very coachable player that wont take defeat as an answer. I wok hard day in and day out so i can reach my full potential.

I have played Center Back and Outside Back for six years. During the high school season, I started every single game.  Our team only allowed 2 goals to be scored against them in fourteen games. This was largely due to our defensive abilities. Our record was 11-0-3 (W/L/D), the best record our school has ever attained at our level. I hold myself and my team at a high level; when I play I expect to win and nothing less. I am not afraid to let my teammates know my expectations. I never stop talking and communicating, I let my teammates know where I am on the field and I make sure we are on the same page for defending and keeping our shape.  Going into a game or playing with a positive attitude will result in the desired outcome and I work hard to bring that to the field. I am a very composed and confident center back and outside back.  I can win headers in the air in the defensive and offensive half of the field. At Appoquinimink High School and on my club team, Delaware Union U17, we make possession a focal point of our game.

On the first day with my personal trainer I did a running drill and  found that when I lifted up my leg I bent  in half because my bones grew faster than my muscles and ligaments, causing my running ability to be compromised.  I worked with this trainer for 2 years and the experience changed me as a person. I took this opportunity to go beyond what was needed to return to my full potential. I changed my entire lifestyle, now any chance I get I go and improve my skills. I am one of the hardest workers and I take pride in what I do. I now know that hard work, dedication, and perseverance are the keys to success. This lesson has helped shape who I am as a person and player. I now train three to four times a week with the personal trainer (Jeff Simpson) and also go once or twice a week to the gym and have practice Tuesdays and Thursdays every week.