Benjamin Nelson '20 Recruiting Profile

    Winning first place in our conference my sophomore year was especially meaningful to me because my team took second place my freshman year. My freshman year we lost by only one goal--the only shot the winning team had. Coming back the year after made winning the conference championship even better. The hours of personal training and the hours of team practice were rewarded.

I didn't get serious about soccer until 5th grade. My 5th grade school teacher was the boys high school varsity soccer coach across town. He played with us at lunch every day and inspired me to love the sport. I decided to join a club team and became one of  the most intense players on my team. At a tournament in Utah, my coach told every player to play with, "Ben Intensity!" Along with winning Defensive MVP at my tournaments, I have learned that I can be a captain on the field. My sophomore year I generalled the field.  Opposing teams only scored 3 goals on our defense the entire season. I got cut from the premier club team my freshman year. So I trained even more and got on another team. My skills improved with my determination. Plus, my teammates often confide in me their struggles off the field. One of my teammates told me he was considering suicide. I talked to him every day and we became close friends. He went on to be successful in school and soccer. I was also votedby my peers to be a founding member for the Hope Squad in my state. It is a group that helps students in crisis.

I want to graduate from high school with High Honors. I also plan to go on a service mission for my church. I think serving others has shaped me into the person I am, especially after I got the chance to go to Mexico to build homes and take school supplies to those in need.

I am planning on a college degree in business or marketing. I have a natural gift for sales. I have worked all through high school to pay for my sports. I worked in sales and at a car wash. And I also worked as a soccer and basketball referee.