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Sourk Excels As Goalie, Student

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By CLIFF GILL

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 27, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - Last season, when he was a freshman, Ian Sourk started the soccer season as the backup goalkeeper for the Wiregrass Ranch varsity team.

During the Bulls' third game, starter Aaron Henry suffered a severe foot injury, propelling Sourk into the regular rotation in goal.

"It was a tough situation to ask a freshman to step in and lead the team," Coach Dave Wilson said. "Ian never gave it a second thought. He did a super job and helped guide our team to a 6-5-5 district record. For a second-year program, we were very proud of our accomplishment, and Ian was a big part of it."

Allowing only 2.24 goals per game, Sourk ranked fifth in Pasco County and 65th in the state among goalies, according to MaxPreps.

One aspect that makes Sourk unique is his intense desire to improve.

"My goal is to get quicker, move faster and decrease my reaction time," he said. "The idea is to become a goalie that other teams would rather not play against."

Sourk's daily regimen begins in the morning in the weight room with the football team. In the afternoon, he returns to school to work out with the soccer team. His club soccer team, the U-17 Flames, practices two nights a week. He receives additional goalkeeping training once a week.

"Ian is the ultimate competitor," Flames coach Danny Maxson said. "He gives 100 percent every minute of every practice and game. He is a coach's dream. He craves for instruction on how to become the best goalie he can be. Ian is one of few who will go the extra mile to get all the training he can get, during the season, offseason, it doesn't matter. He has grown into a great goalie."

In addition to soccer, Sourk excels in football, basketball and track. Two years ago, at John Long Middle School, he was the recipient of the four sports award. Last year, Sourk was a kicker and wide receiver on the JV football team at Wiregrass. This year, he hopes to play varsity soccer and football.

The classroom is another area in which Sourk excels. He finished his freshman year with a 3.8 grade-point average. This year, he is scheduled to take four honors classes: English, biology, geometry and world history.

"Because of practice, I usually get home around 9 p.m.," Sourk said. "After dinner, I often stay up studying until midnight."

For the past four years, Sourk has been involved with Odyssey of the Mind. In 2007, working as part of a seven-person team, Sourk and his teammates put together a structure made of balsam wood that weighed only 18 grams and supported 810 pounds. For their efforts, the team was awarded 10th place worldwide.

Sourk's volunteer efforts include sports and school. At Wesley Chapel's Boyette Park, he volunteers as a concession stand worker and as a field marshal, directing players and parents to the 12 fields. At John Long Middle School, he helps teachers by carrying textbooks and supplies to classrooms.

Sourk plans to play soccer in college, possibly at Duke University. His love of history is leading him toward a career in foreign intelligence.

His advice is to work hard, both in school and on the field.

"The only way to improve is to push yourself," he said. "Find your limits and then strive to go just a little further."

Teachers and coaches: If you would like to nominate an outstanding student-athlete to be featured in an upcoming In The Community article, contact Cliff Gill at (727) 860-4903 or

reportercliffgill@yahoo.com.

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