By Katherine Kelly, Managing Editor
Almost every year there is approximately one freshman that makes the varsity soccer team. This year, that is freshman Jakob Heuschert.
Heuschert plays in the starting 11, and is on the field for most of the game.
Out of the 12 freshman boys playing soccer this season, he is the only one that made the varsity team.
The varsity team is made up of 22 boys. One freshman, three sophomores, six juniors and 12 seniors. This year, the team is doing very well, and they have won league for the first time in a decade.
The team’s standings are is 7-0-1 in the league, and 12-1-3 overall.
Heuschert’s love for soccer began around the age of four when he lived in Europe. His father would bring him to indoor soccer games on Monday nights.
When he lived in Europe, he played in the field next to his house with his friends or his father, and that was his way of practicing in his small town in Switzerland until he joined another small team.
He began to play with a lower level, small team from a slightly larger town about 20 minutes away from where he lived. This team covered the basics. They taught players things, such as shooting, passing, and dribbling. Heuschert played with this team for two and a half years.
When Heuschert moved to the United States he was seven years old. He and his family moved in 2010. At this point, he played with the team that was an age group up from his own.
Since soccer is just one season, Heuschert would find other teams to play on during the off-season, such as an indoor league in Tacoma during the winter.
Due to his interest beginning at the mere age of four, as well as the fact that he has been playing consistently since then, he carries more years of soccer under his belt than many of his freshman counterparts.
He has been playing for roughly 11 years now, and he hopes to continue to play for as long as possible.
“My goal is to continue to compete for as long as I can and as long as I’m having fun with it,” Heuschert said.
As the only freshman on the varsity team, he often faces boys who are much older and more experienced than he. Although this is certainly challenging at times, Heuschert draws on it for motivation.
“Playing with older boys is challenging because the juniors and seniors are often bigger, stronger and faster than me,” Heuschert said. “This forces me to play at my highest level every game and practice.”
Although his older opponents often test his limits, he never seems to find himself fearful of facing them.
“He works hard, and doesn’t get scared of the older players,” sophomore varsity player Jeremiah Bogaard said.
A strong work ethic is what really improves a players game when it comes down to it.
“Jakob is very humble and is very likeable. I enjoy having him as a teammate,” senior varsity player Sam Briggs said.
According to Heuschert’s teammates, he’s never settled and will continue to be a benefit to the team for years to come.
“He’s always been great, but he never stopped getting better,” Bogaard said. “We have played together since I was in 8th grade, and Jakob was in 7th, and all he has done is grow.”
Heuschert has three more years at VHS to advance his soccer career and to continue to grow with his teammates.