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40 | November 2, 2017 | The orland park prairie Sports
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a 22nd century media publication
Athlete of the Week
10 Questions
with Vasili Vouris
Vasili Vouris is a senior at Sandburg. He
played right back on the Eagles boys soccer
team.
How did you get started playing
soccer?
I started at the age of 3, playing because,
when I was growing up, I was always following
whatever my brother did. And so,
when I saw him playing soccer, I just wanted
to do what he did. I started off playing club
with his team — he’s three years older than
me — so I was playing with his team, and I
just fell in love with the sport.
How did you get to be a defender?
I grew up being a center-back, but I was
always the smallest one on the field, and everyone
kind of outgrew me. So, I kind of fell
into the outside back position because of my
speed, and I had both good defensive and offensive
skills, so I was kind of playing both.
What is your proudest moment in
soccer?
I’d say probably scoring against Marist. ...
We were up 1-0, then it was 1-1, then 2-1
[against us]. I scored the second goal to put
us back in the lead and carry us from that
very moment.
What did you work on between last
season and this one to improve?
Foot skills and speed and agility, really, to
just keep myself in shape and just be better.
What is the strength of your game?
I’d say my leadership, really. I tell my
teammates what to do, really, to make sure
that they don’t fall apart. If they made a mistake,
I’ll tell them, “Don’t worry about it.
Just pick your head up, keep going.”
22nd Century Media File Photo
Who is your favorite professional
athlete?
I’d probably say Ronaldinho. [I like] everything
[about him], really. The love for the
game he had, the passion. He was like the ultimate
player. He was never wrong with his
game, really. Never was a bad player. ... [He]
was just a great example to younger athletes,
or any athletes.
What is your favorite team?
I’d say Manchester United. I grew up watching
them when I was younger. I’d always wake
up on Sunday mornings, Saturday mornings,
and I just kind of went with that team.
If you could replace the head referee
with a celebrity for a game, who
would you choose?
Probably Michael Jordan. [He’s] also a
guy I grew up loving. I never got to watch
him play, but watching all his highlights and
stuff, I kind of just fell in love with him. I
was a big Michael Jordan fan when I was
younger.
What item or two could you not live
without?
A soccer ball. Whenever I’m playing soccer,
it just makes me feel good about myself.
It makes me clear the mind, just makes me
feel good about myself.
What is your favorite subject in
school?
English. I want to be a writer when I grow
up, and I like talking about sports. So, I want
to be a sports broadcaster, so that’s what I
kind of like about [it]. I write in the newspaper
for the sports section.
Interview by Sports Editor Tim Carroll