For many sports players, being on the junior varsity (JV) team is a common experience. It provides the opportunity for players to improve before they can contribute to a more competitive game where the skill-level and pace of the game is significantly more advanced. Take Jack Horan (’28), a member of the boys soccer team. The ascending striker has turned heads this season with a dominant scoring streak on both JV and varsity.
Horan began this season on JV, where his impact was felt particularly in the back of the net. In just six games, he netted seven goals, showcasing his finishing ability and off-ball movement. Horan caught the attention of his coaches, as Horan was quickly promoted to varsity, where he is already making an impact. In his debut game, he quickly scored his first varsity goal. To put his goal-scoring prowess into perspective, soccer is typically a low-scoring sport, with even professional leagues seeing draws in 20% to 30% of matches.
Horan has played soccer for nine years and has been part of two club teams, showing his dedication to improving in the sport that he loves. Last year, he played on the freshman team, scoring seventeen goals, including being named MVP of the freshman team’s season. When asked about his high school season so far, Horan reflected on the season, saying, “I started on JV, and I’m not going to lie, I was mad at the start. I did have some great times, though, and it showed me how life is not always predictable. You can always change things, even when you originally thought that they were set in stone.”
Not only were these the wise words that rivaled Master Oogway, but they also reveal how the right mindset and hard work can lead to great things. It is easy for junior varsity players to feel discouraged by their performance on the field, hoping to eventually move up to the higher level. However, Horan’s story is one of encouragement. With consistency, discipline, and hard work, there is no doubt that players will improve and become a better fit for a faster-paced game on varsity.
