Caleb Basquill '21 Recruiting Profile

Since youth, competition fascinated. I’d feel the wind brush my hair and blood flow through my veins. It was as if I became a different person, a competitive person. When I discovered the joy soccer allowed me to enjoy, I couldn’t get enough. I joined my first soccer team at four years old, then I joined another team and another team. At eighteen, still joining soccer teams, the competition continues to fascinate and consume me. 

Throughout the years, I’ve dealt with adversity on and off the field. Adversity involving illness provoking restrictions on my ability to play. As I grew older these restrictions went away but were tough to handle. By the time I could play again, I saw teammates tumbling to the ground because of a fracture on the field. Every teammate is valuable either in play, morals, or spirit. It is a shame to see them limp off the field or worse, need an ambulance. To see a teammate hurt crushes me, but it happens. 

There may be times when teammates are a hindrance, though they can be valuable assets to the team. Either way, I am encouraging them on the field or giving them high-fives when they go to the bench.  However, when I am on the field, I become a leader determined to lead my team to a victory. When competition consumes you, it forces you to do whatever it takes to win.

As a center-back, the role of leader is one I’ve played many times. Over the years, some teammates have helped me while defending, others need a leader. A leader who will help the team improve and obtain victory. Not that other teammates have never lead or encourage me. Throughout my years of playing center-back, I have received countless compliments and encouragement when playing center back. Fellow teammates have even led me, after all, we are a team.

Although I am fascinated with competition and Soccer, I don’t allow it to impede academics. While playing soccer this year, I’ve had ACT prep tutoring, a writing coach, chess tutoring and ordinary school. If I dare allowed academics to come second, I wouldn’t even graduate.