Jordan Boyce-Suwanabol '22 Recruiting Profile

6 specialists. 6 new faces. 5 dead ends. Before my junior year of high school my life was centered around a mysterious illness that had plagued me since the winter of 7th grade. Vials and vials of blood, hours of testing, and a multitude of new medications, would eventually lead to the diagnosis of chronic migraines due to low serotonin levels. Combined, I would miss close to 150 days of school in four years. What would save me from a vacuum of despair would be none other, than the beautiful game of soccer. I started playing soccer when I was three. Over the years I would go on to play a multitude of sports but I always found myself being drawn back to the pitch. When I was 10 I found myself starting a legacy with a group of kids that I would later consider my brothers. Through 5 years of grueling practice on and off the field our '03 to '04 team grew into a team worthy of champions. Throughout the years and with each new coach, I was immediately placed in the center of the formation. I had the ability to analyze and tactfully move the ball and play thunderous defense through 90 minutes of unyielding soccer. 

Freshman year of high school soccer was filled with challenges, not only had my migraines forced me to take unneeded breaks during practice, but a concussion had ended my season short. In 12 games I had scored four times and tallied up six assists.  However, sophomore year managed to top my previous year when it came to surprises. Before tryouts had even taken place, I had stress fractured my L4 vertebrae during our last contact night before the season. With only thinking it a bruised back, I participated during the full week of tryouts, only to be told of the pains true origin the day of our first match. The news destroyed me. This was my year to make a name for myself, to impress college recruiters, all of it down the drain with one injury. I was devastated. That winter I joined wrestling to stay in shape for my next season and proceeded to place 4th in regionals (even though it was my first year wrestling ever). When the summer of my sophomore to junior year rolled around, I took a very active role in preparing for the soccer season. My fellow classmate and I arranged captain's practices 3 days a week to encourage the younger players to take part of building our school to compete in the Classic 8 (historically a strong conference). When the season finally rolled around I had secured my starting spot as a outside midfielder (later I would play in the forward and attacking mid role). 

All in all I feel as if my story, of constant setbacks and lows, shows my resilience and perseverance to play the sport I love. My reputation among the team as a kid who never quits has inspired the younger players to give it their all because you never know what obstacles may lay around the corner. And like I've always said and stood by, 'will the you tomorrow be proud of the you today?' 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” ~Philippians 4:13