Senior Danny Smazil, a center-attacking midfielder is no stranger to the demanding yet extremely rewarding world of sports; specifically, soccer. Smazil developed his love for soccer at the young age of five, and hasn’t looked back since. His years of dedication to the sport made him the skilled player that he is today, and his work ethic does not go unnoticed.
During the high school season, Smazil keeps a rigid training schedule, alternating between attending practices and playing games Monday through Saturday. However, even in the off-season, he continues to maintain a solid training regimen.
“I play for a club team, Roadrunners. Once the club is done, I go with my friends and play in a Sunday league,” Smazil said.
Smazil’s dedication to soccer, however, is not the only aspect that makes him a standout player. Along with his strong diligence, he has been recognized by his coaches for his role as a leader on the team as well as his deep understanding of the game.
“He is just a natural leader. He works hard, he is very coachable, and he follows the game outside of soccer here, which is not a necessity, but it leads to an understanding about how to handle certain situations,” said Smazil’s head coach at DGS, Christopher Hernandez.
Hernandez also highlighted how Smazil’s physical attributes contribute to his excellence in the game.
“He’s tall, he’s incredibly fast, and if you put that together with a player who is very successful with work ethic and mentality, it creates a fun player to be around and to coach. He is always looking to improve,” Hernandez said.
Personally, Smazil strives to step into a leadership role for the greater benefit of his team.
“I’m pretty vocal. I’ll point out to my team if they are doing something wrong, and I’ll try to encourage them to do better,” Smazil said.
Smazil hopes to ride the wave of his momentum and incorporate his love for soccer into his future as well.
“I’m hoping to play soccer later on in college, but if that doesn’t happen, I still feel like it has taught me a lot about how to be a leader and to manage my time,” Smazil said.
As for his last season of high school soccer, though, Smazil would love to make it to regionals and perform well there. He hopes to end his high school career with a final conference win.
