The Norwalk High Boys Soccer Team has yet to disappoint, with years of hard work and success in the books. This year is no different, and we can already see the team stepping up to prove themselves as an unstoppable force. Though, this couldn’t be possible without the team’s new leaders; Tristan Vasquez, Dalton Bury, and Fredi Bonilla. We got a chance to speak with these 2023 captains about their personal goals, as well as their team expectations for the upcoming season.
Even before the season began the boys were already putting in the work. All three captains mentioned their preseason fitness, which has contributed to their success so early in the season. From weight lifting to fitness camp these athletes put in the work over the summer. One senior defender, Tristan Vasquez, who has been playing soccer since he was 3 years old, mentioned that he individually, “focused more on stamina and agility”, during the preseason.
After asking these players to look back into the past, we wanted to get their perspective on the future. Junior goalkeeper Dalton Bury, who has 8 years of experience on his shoulders, “expect[s] to see a lot of hunger from the team”, and experienced senior left wing Fredi Bonilla hopes to, “become better as a family and go far in the season”. In order to accomplish these goals, the captains all have their own way of leading the team. Tristan Vasquez told us his plans to help support his team will be,“staying positive and encouraging the younger guys to keep working and competing for a starting spot.” Similarly, Fredi Bonilla is going to “motivate them and encourage them to go hard and to never give up.” As a whole, it’s prevalent that the captains will stop at nothing to support and encourage their team to always push themselves and strive for success.
Out of these three captains, one happens to be a junior. We asked 11th grader Dalton Bury how it feels to be a junior captain. He told us, “I don’t think being a junior captain is any different than being one as a senior. The expectations and requirements for the role stay the same. Everyone respects each other no matter what age they are.”
We wish this team good luck in the upcoming season, and can’t wait to see the impact these captains, and all players, will have on the Norwalk Boy’s Soccer program!
