“I train every day on my own, as I don’t have school team practices until the summer and fall. Currently, I’m in the club season, playing for Michigan Rangers FC throughout the winter and spring. My club team holds practices on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and on the other days, I head to the field after school to either train alone or work with a teammate.I began this daily training routine during the summer before 9th grade, and the improvement I saw heading into my freshman season was noticeable. Honestly, I didn’t expect to make the varsity team as a freshman—I just aimed to make JV. When I did make varsity, I realized that I had earned my spot, and I was determined to continue working hard to ensure I got consistent playing time. Even after the season ended, I kept up my training on my own and with my club team to keep improving. At this point, training has become a part of my daily routine, whether it’s on the field or in the gym. I believe a lot of this drive comes from the early days of my training, where I saw firsthand how much of a difference consistent effort could make. I’ve learned that the extra work pays off, and now, it’s second nature to keep pushing myself to get better,” Jr. Saunder Sotok said.