Yohannes Mekonnen '20 Recruiting Profile

I try to remember where I came from, what I've been through and why I do what I do. I remind myself when I first found out my passion of playing soccer and what it means to play with heart. it all started when I first met my coach and all the other players on the field practicing. I was afraid to ask to join in but the coach spotted me and asks “hey you would like to join us?'' I introduce myself and told him how much I loved the sport, he sees that I’m very interested and invites me to practice again with the team. Ever since that day I have never felt so excited to play soccer, I told my parents and they knew how badly I wanted to play for a teammate how much this means to me. After the first couple of practices I went to, I realize, I couldn’t keep up. I would keep trying and striving but they were much more talented and experienced.  After one practice I asked the coach ”what was I doing wrong” and he answers back “you're just not as experienced as the others, you lack a couple of things” then he goes on naming my weaknesses “your not quick enough, your too stiff, you need to get stronger”.  After that day I worked overtime, running 8 miles whenever I could, I even used the grass patches as cones to dribble around and a tire for my shooting. We get into games and I’d be afraid of the pressure of having the ball and what my coach and teammates think of me, at that point, I didn't even hold the ball, but I try to avoid it, but then one day I get a call from your coach and he says he notices that I get very pressured when playing at practices, and I respond back letting him know I was afraid of what people think of me and thinking “what if I mess up”. He responds saying “you need to clear your mind and just play and play like no one is watching, your one of the hardest and committed players on the team and you just came here, I see your passion for the sport, don’t let other people discourage you.” After this conversation I always gave my everything into this sport, I play with a passion and most importantly I play with heart. I still to this day go above and beyond On and off the field, that includes in my schooling or on my personality I just make sure I make me a better me. I make sure to remember and let them know every time it’s time for me to show what I’m about, I let them feel my pain!