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Hey guys, just wanted to pass along this article. It is about one of my high school seniors making his committment after high school. I am very proud of him. Enjoy!
Heinz makes ultimate college commitment
BY ANDREW MAY, amay@acnpapers.com
Published: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 9:34 PM CST
When it was his turn to introduce players from the defending state champion boys soccer team Monday during Wakeland’s signing day ceremony, Rusty Oglesby didn’t so much as hesitate.
He could have started off by presenting Nick Petolick, a versatile keeper held in high regard around these parts after his wizardry in the 2010 title tilt. Or perhaps Len Smith, a gifted forward who scored 20 goals last season despite being the object of every defense’s affection. Instead, Oglesby kicked off the festivities by bringing up Connor Heinz, the starting left back who will be defending much more than a goal this time next year.
Though he isn’t the biggest, strongest or fastest player on the pitch, Heinz certainly deserves the label as the most unselfish. Talented enough to draw interest from a number of colleges willing to pay for his services, Heinz opted to forego continuing his soccer career to enlist in the Marine Corps. For him, it was a no-brainer.
“It’s always been my dream,” he said. “This is really what I want to do.”
Heinz began his junior season as a reserve, unsure how much playing time he may get. He slowly wedged his way into the rotation and has been a fixture in the starting lineup ever since. Through 13 games this season, Heinz has yet to take a seat on the bench. He has played every minute of every game for undefeated Wakeland, the second-ranked team in the nation.
With No. 12 patrolling the defensive backfield, Oglesby knows he has nothing to worry about. Far from it.
“He’s willing to go put his life on the line for us,” the coach said. “It’s just so incredible.”
At the urging of his parents, who wanted to make certain the potentially life-or-death decision was well thought out, Heinz visited several schools in Colorado. He took an official visit to Fort Lewis College in Durango and was also being pursued by Adams State College in Alamosa. But he was never swayed to the point of making an oral commitment, content in the dream he has carried with him since middle school.
“I think that’s awesome that he’s doing that,” said Petolick, who signed with Oral Roberts University along with defender Casey Cantor. “I know that’s what he really wants to do. I support him 100 percent on it.”
Heinz enlisted in the Marines on Dec. 13 and will be shipped to Camp Pendleton in San Diego on Sept. 12, the day after the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. After three months of boot camp, Heinz will go through two months of infantry school. From there, he will attend Jump School and combat diver driving with the ultimate goal of becoming a RECON Marine.
“I’m prepared,” Heinz said, “but it’s definitely going to be the toughest thing I’ve done in my life.”
There will be plenty of supporters in his corner.
“I thought it was great that he went ahead and did it,” said Smith, who signed with Tulsa after originally committing to Seattle University. “It’s something that he’s been wanting to do. He always talks to us about it. I’m happy to see him go on and fulfill his dream.”
Winning a second straight state championship hardly seems to compare in the grand scheme of things, but that’s exactly what Heinz and his teammates hope to accomplish in the coming months. It would be the ideal sendoff for a player whose devotion can’t be questioned.
“I just want him to follow his dream. It’s just something he believed in with all his heart,” Oglesby said. “This is what he needed to be doing with his life. I can go to sleep at night knowing Connor Heinz is going to be defending our country.”
Heinz makes ultimate college commitment
BY ANDREW MAY, amay@acnpapers.com
Published: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 9:34 PM CST
When it was his turn to introduce players from the defending state champion boys soccer team Monday during Wakeland’s signing day ceremony, Rusty Oglesby didn’t so much as hesitate.
He could have started off by presenting Nick Petolick, a versatile keeper held in high regard around these parts after his wizardry in the 2010 title tilt. Or perhaps Len Smith, a gifted forward who scored 20 goals last season despite being the object of every defense’s affection. Instead, Oglesby kicked off the festivities by bringing up Connor Heinz, the starting left back who will be defending much more than a goal this time next year.
Though he isn’t the biggest, strongest or fastest player on the pitch, Heinz certainly deserves the label as the most unselfish. Talented enough to draw interest from a number of colleges willing to pay for his services, Heinz opted to forego continuing his soccer career to enlist in the Marine Corps. For him, it was a no-brainer.
“It’s always been my dream,” he said. “This is really what I want to do.”
Heinz began his junior season as a reserve, unsure how much playing time he may get. He slowly wedged his way into the rotation and has been a fixture in the starting lineup ever since. Through 13 games this season, Heinz has yet to take a seat on the bench. He has played every minute of every game for undefeated Wakeland, the second-ranked team in the nation.
With No. 12 patrolling the defensive backfield, Oglesby knows he has nothing to worry about. Far from it.
“He’s willing to go put his life on the line for us,” the coach said. “It’s just so incredible.”
At the urging of his parents, who wanted to make certain the potentially life-or-death decision was well thought out, Heinz visited several schools in Colorado. He took an official visit to Fort Lewis College in Durango and was also being pursued by Adams State College in Alamosa. But he was never swayed to the point of making an oral commitment, content in the dream he has carried with him since middle school.
“I think that’s awesome that he’s doing that,” said Petolick, who signed with Oral Roberts University along with defender Casey Cantor. “I know that’s what he really wants to do. I support him 100 percent on it.”
Heinz enlisted in the Marines on Dec. 13 and will be shipped to Camp Pendleton in San Diego on Sept. 12, the day after the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. After three months of boot camp, Heinz will go through two months of infantry school. From there, he will attend Jump School and combat diver driving with the ultimate goal of becoming a RECON Marine.
“I’m prepared,” Heinz said, “but it’s definitely going to be the toughest thing I’ve done in my life.”
There will be plenty of supporters in his corner.
“I thought it was great that he went ahead and did it,” said Smith, who signed with Tulsa after originally committing to Seattle University. “It’s something that he’s been wanting to do. He always talks to us about it. I’m happy to see him go on and fulfill his dream.”
Winning a second straight state championship hardly seems to compare in the grand scheme of things, but that’s exactly what Heinz and his teammates hope to accomplish in the coming months. It would be the ideal sendoff for a player whose devotion can’t be questioned.
“I just want him to follow his dream. It’s just something he believed in with all his heart,” Oglesby said. “This is what he needed to be doing with his life. I can go to sleep at night knowing Connor Heinz is going to be defending our country.”
