High School Confidential

By Ben Brenner

	Ben Brenner, a senior at Somers High, last wrote for this column on Feb. 20, 2008.

It was my first year in Somers, my first day at Primrose Elementary School, my first 30 minutes of recess in the first grade. My only friend was my neighbor, Robby, and as I searched frantically for my missing friend, my curious eyes drifted towards the middle of the Primrose field.

Two sets of bright orange traffic cones rested 10 feet apart from each other on opposite sides of the field as a mob of first graders chased after the black and white ball rolling between them. That was my first experience with the game that would dominate the next decade of my life, the game that would introduce me to new people and places, and the game that would teach me how to win – and how to lose.

Since my first grade year, my life has been dedicated to soccer as I played on several club teams—among them, two teams ranked in the Top 50 nationwide – junior varsity and varsity. Countless camps, countless practices and countless games have left me with memories of fun, memories of torture, memories of victory, and memories of defeat.

I remember the highs and the lows, the goals scored and goals allowed, the games when I played every minute and the games when I never left the bench. I remember the cleats, from the $30 size four, synthetic Adidas, to the $200 kangaroo leather, futuristic size 10 Nikes.Yet, every new pair of cleats were accompanied by a new blister, every turf field accompanied by a dirt field, and every win accompanied by a loss.

As the end of my career looms closer, what am I left with – which memories are destined for permanence? I will never forget that soccer has escorted me around the country, from the most remote areas in Virginia to Disney World in Florida, and has gifted me with mentors and teammates. It has taught me not to take success for granted and has shown me that winning is not the only type of success.With three varsity coaches in four years, it has enabled me to deal with change, to transition, and to accept what is out of my control.

More than anything, I know the influence that soccer has had on my life extends far beyond the field, and the most important skills it has left me with have nothing to do with a ball. My soccer game has not lasted a mere 90 minutes, it has been stretched to 10 years, and it has coached me into the best condition of my life.

So have I left everything on the field? I am confident that when I finally untie my cleats and take off my shin-guards, I will have the satisfaction of knowing that my endurance lasted 10 years and that everything I have gained far ourweighs everything I have left behind.