I never imagined myself here.
Growing up, soccer was everything.
It was my world, and I planned to keep playing through high school.
But then, as a freshman, everything changed.
Just two days before the season’s first football game, my neighbor—who happened to be one of the football coaches—called me.
For years, he’d been hinting that I should try kicking for the football team, always saying he saw potential in my leg.
But soccer was my life; football wasn’t even on my radar.
This time, though, it was different.
Both of their kickers were injured, and they urgently needed someone to step up.
I remember that day so clearly — the rush, the anticipation.
It’s like it was yesterday — the smell of the field, the crunch of cleats on grass, the hum of the crowd. I felt a surge of excitement mixed with nerves like I was standing at the edge of something I couldn’t quite see yet.
As a freshman with zero football experience, I was suddenly in the lineup for one of the biggest games of the season.
The stakes were high, all eyes on me.
And from that moment on, everything shifted.
I fell in love with football.
Training and Preparation
After that first season, I faced a tough choice.
To take football seriously, I’d have to dedicate myself fully in the fall, which meant leaving soccer behind.
It was hard to let go of something I loved, but this new passion was igniting something inside me.
Football had a hold on me, and I knew I had to see how far I could take it.
So, I poured myself into it.
Every day in the off-season, I was in the weight room, analyzing my form, recording my kicks, and breaking down every detail.
I wanted every kick to count, especially in those critical moments when everything was on the line.
One of my favorite memories is from last year, when we needed a win to keep our playoff hopes alive.
The pressure was intense; every point mattered.
Late in the game, it all came down to a 40-yard field goal.
As I took my position, I tuned everything out — the noise, the stakes.
I drew on everything I’d learned and trusted my training.
When the ball sailed through the uprights, I felt pure joy, relief, and gratitude.
Moments like that are why I keep going.
So Much Support
I couldn’t have done it without my coaches and family.
Jon Corson, one of our high school coaches, became a mentor, drilling me with the basics of kicking and the finer points of the position.
Coach Eddie from Kohl’s Kicking Camps helped me refine my technique, showing me the difference between being good and becoming great.
My soccer coach had taught us to be "goldfish" — to let go of mistakes and move forward — a lesson I lean on heavily as a kicker. There’s no time to dwell when you miss, no time for self-doubt. You shake it off, step up, and focus on what’s next.
Their support pushed me to work harder than ever, to find my limits and then, surpass them.
Now, as a senior, I have one big dream: to play college football.
My sights are set on Division I, but more than anything, I just want a chance to keep doing what I love.
Wherever I end up, however, I know football will be a part of my life.
The lessons it’s taught me have shaped who I am on and off the field.
Looking Up to Role Models
I’m inspired by the kickers who came before me, especially two from my high school, Brandon McManus and Matt Ammendola.
Watching them succeed in the NFL has been surreal, a reminder of where hard work and perseverance can lead.
Their different styles have inspired me to find my own approach, to discover what works best for me and make it my own.
Following in their footsteps feels like a big dream, but it’s one I’m ready to chase.
In the meantime, I’m committed to making the most of every opportunity.
Football has taught me resilience, discipline, and the power of teamwork.
It’s shown me how to dig deep, rise under pressure, and trust the people around me.
It demands focus and dedication, and every day, I’m reminded of how much I’m willing to give for this sport.
I don’t know exactly what the future holds — whether I’ll be kicking on a high school field, a college stadium, or something even bigger — but I’m ready to leave my mark.
The journey has been unexpected, a road I never planned to take, but it’s one I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Football has given me purpose, confidence, and a community that feels like family.
It’s not just a game anymore; it’s a part of me, a passion I plan to carry forward for the rest of my life.
In every kick, every practice, every moment, I still feel that spark from my very first game — the night I fell in love with football.
