Freshman trades Futbol for Football
Brandon Castle, O&B Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Sports
|
Carlos spent his childhood growing up in Venezuela. He developed his skills early on picking up a soccer ball when he was four. Soccer was his pastime, but it was not his only hobby. Before he became a futbol and football player, he was a rodeo star. In Venezuela, he performed in a style of rodeo called Coleo. Coleo is where five men on horseback and a disorderly bull enter the arena. The object is for the cowboys to grab the bull by its tail, while still on horseback, and bring it down. Fearless. Staring down field goal posts seems slightly less intimidating after staring a bull in his eyes.
While in Venezuela his mom worked and went to school to one day give his family a better opportunity. At the age of twelve, that day came. Carlos and his family made it to America thanks to his mom's determination. This serves as motivation for Carlos.
"Every day I go out there I think about her. I want to be better for my family".
Carlos is doing just that. In 2002, he was honing his soccer skills in the Olympic Development Program. It was not until his sophomore year of high school that he started to kick a football. Carlos struggled at first, but continued to practice.
"The hardest transition (from soccer to football) was the motion".
His perseverance did not go unrewarded. During his senior year, he made 13 of his 16 field goal attempts with a long of 52 yards. Out of his three misses that year, the shortest was a fifty five yard field goal. Coaches took notice; luckily it was Carson Newman that got his commitment.
The biggest change in Carlos' life had yet to come. During the second week of football camp, Carlos became saved. He took notice on how his life was different, "Life isn't all about material things. It's not just about being the best. Being here around people who want to do the right thing makes me not want to disappoint God".
His life had new meaning, but his motivation was still the same. Every time he lines up a kick he does it for God, his family, and his teammates. "Being a true freshman kicker puts a lot of pressure on me. I want to do the best I can to my team will trust me". He's done well with that pressure so far making every extra point this year (15/15) and nailing a 43 yard field goal in a win over Bentley.
Carlos Lopez is a story four years in the making. He is as talented as he is humble and as fearless as he is motivated. What kind of kicker he becomes is for us to watch and cheer for, but it will not compare to the person he has already become.
Be the first to comment on this story