Cookeville student Alberto Medrano selected for regional soccer Olympic Development Program after five years with All In Futbol Club.
Club Coach Davis Draper said Medrano showed promise early on, demonstrating hard work, intelligence, diligence. Draper said Medrano had reached a level that most players never reach. He said Medrano did this with a handicap of starting the game at age 11, about 6 years later than most players.
But when asked about this great accomplishment, Medrano said he is very grateful and thankful to his coaches and the club for giving him the opportunity to learn and grow as a player.
“I like to stay humble,” Medrano said. “I don’t like to you know, be like oh I made this team, I’m the stuff, you know. I like to stay humble because Davis has always told me to stay humble. But I’m very excited and I’m very happy.”
Draper said when Medrano originally showed up asking to play he had never touched a soccer ball. Draper said Medrano is the first player from the Upper Cumberland to make it to the development team. He said competitive soccer has been in the Upper Cumberland for almost 30 years without producing a player at that level.
Draper said Medrano’s success is simply a testament to his abilities and his work ethic.
“It’s a big deal,” Draper said. “He continues to grow and develop as a player. And it’s happening right here in Cookeville.
Draper said most of the kids who play at this level end up in Division 1 soccer in college and he had already been at trials for Nashville Soccer Club. But Draper said right now he did not know where Medrano’s ceiling was.
“He has a high ceiling,” Draper said. “It’s interesting. We’ll watch him as he continues to grow.”
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