Former student and member of Cathedral Catholic’s varsity soccer team, Jared Hegardt, has recently advanced his game to the next level. He received a scholarship opportunity through the U.S. Soccer Residency Program where he is currently playing soccer in Bradenton, Florida.
The IMG Academy U.S. National Under –17 Soccer Team fall semester residency program will be competing in the qualifying phases of the World Cup next summer in Mexico for the Under –17 division. Jared, along with 39 other players, is living and playing in Florida. A few cuts will be made at the end of the fall semester. If things don’t work out with the program, Jared will be back at Cathedral to play his third year on the varsity team.
And Cathedral appreciates what Jared can do on the field.
Varsity soccer coach Bryan Wood said, “He is a great player, very fast with the ball at his feet; he has an excellent shot, and plays the game like a professional. He sees the whole field and makes great decisions with the ball.”
As well as having a great skill set, Jared is also appreciated for his positive attitude and leadership capabilities. “He has the best attitude on and off the field. He is smiling most of the time and always having fun while he plays. He never loses his cool and is a prototype for anyone trying to make it to the college or professional level,” Wood said.
Jared played forward under leadership of Coach Wood, but he is currently playing midfielder under the leadership of Coach Wilmer Cabrera. Along with training programs on a daily basis, Jared and his team will be traveling internationally in preparation for the World Cup. Coach Cabrera is aided by assistant coaches Paul Caffrey, Gerson Echeverry, Paul Grafer and Erik Imler.
Living on campus, the team members train in the mornings and receive schooling in the afternoons at St. Steven’s Episcopal School. Highly developed training facilities and sports psychologists also aid the players while taking part in the program.
Jared played his freshman and sophomore year on Cathedral’s varsity team with teammates and opponents older than himself. Coach Wood said that, despite this age difference, “You notice how good he is when he gets the ball. His first touch on the ball is perfect and the ball is never taken away from him, nor does he make a bad pass to give it away.” Overcoming such disadvantages, Jared “is typically the most skilled and best overall player on the field.”
Jared’s former teammate, Cathedral senior Mike Semenza said, “Jared is a very talented kid for his age and has much potential. His ability to take on players paired with his passion for the game makes him unstoppable. Jared is a player you will see at the highest level in a couple of years.”
For more information on the IMG residency program, view the link below: