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Julian Castro, left, kicks
the ball past a defender
during league play
this
season. Castro is heading to
Mexico for the USA National
Soccer Federation’s
14-and-under camp.
|
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Julian Castro is heading to
Mexico
for the USA National
Soccer Federation’s
14-and-under camp.
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By
COLIN WILSON
cwilson@MorningJournal.com |
Original
Story
http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2011/01/17/sports/doc4d33b77def711872158526.txt |
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General
Johnnie Wilson Middle
Principal - Sam Newsome
2700 Washington Ave. Lorain,
Ohio 44052
(440) 246-1020
Grades 6 through 8
Student Population: 629 |
|
LORAIN
— For an
eighth grader, Julian Castro has done
quite a bit of traveling over the past
year.
The Lorain resident and General Johnny
Wilson Middle School student has been
globe-trotting with the US Youth
Soccer Olympic Development Program. He
has been on an International European
Tour and attended camps in Kansas,
Missouri Boston and Florida over the
past year.
Needless to say he’s enjoyed the
traveling from a culture perspective
and a competitive one.
“It’s a lot of fun. There are a
lot of sights you can see,” Julian
Castro said. “Not a lot of people
get that chance. You get to play with
a lot of players who have different
skills. It makes you better.”
This week, Julian is on the most
ambitious trip yet, to Guadalajara,
Mexico for the USA National Soccer
Federation’s U14 camp.
It’s a great opportunity for Castro,
who had been competing on Regional
teams over the past 10 months and is
eager to take the next step.
“It’s a big achievement,” said
Julian’s father, Nelson Castro.
“He got to go to Boston and train
with the USA team there and before
that did a tour of Europe with the
(Olympic Development Program).
That’s basically how it really got
started, through the ODP program.
“It’s like a pyramid that goes up
and once you reach the USA you reach
the top and he’s got a good future
if he keeps it up.”
For Julian, who works hard at his
craft, it’s a nice reward to say the
least.
“It’s a good achievement for me to
make the national team that’s what
every kid playing soccer wants to
do,” Julian said. “I have to work
hard and have determination.”
Julian said a lot of his
opportunities are thanks to the ODP,
which has helped him develop a great
deal as a player, as well as exposed
him to national scouts.
“It can really get you somewhere if
you join the program,” he said.
Julian began playing soccer as early
as three years old. It was a pretty
natural fit.
“We saw it even when he was
little,” Nelson said. “There
always seemed to be someone that saw
something in him.”
And as he got better, Julian began to
like the game more and saw it as an
opportunity as much as a hobby.
“I was good at it,” Julian said.
“I thought if I was good then maybe
I could get somewhere with it.”
He’s even made a fan out of his dad,
who didn’t know much about soccer
growing up, but has gained quite an
interest.
“When I was growing up soccer really
wasn’t that big,” Nelson said.
“I think with the World Cup I think
a lot more people got exposed to it.
“I’ve grown to really like the
game especially watching him.”
And it’s also brought quite a bit of
pride to the whole Castro family.
“My wife and I are both proud of
him,” Nelson said. “Our whole
family. He’s done a lot in the years
he’s been playing and moved up
pretty quickly. It’s nice for us to
see when he gets noticed by other
people. We hope he takes it to another
level.”
Julian returns next weekend from
Mexico and then it’s back to normal
life until his next big camp invite.
In the meantime he’ll rejoin his
General Johnny Wilson basketball
teammates as they continue their
undefeated season. |