James Wood High School age 17 senior
Sports: Soccer. Position: Midfielder
Parents: Julie and Travis King
Hometown: Winchester
What do you like in football? : The team aspect. I love how it creates strong bonds with your teammates. They truly become your brothers and your best friends.
Most memorable soccer moment: All of last season. Our State Race [to the Class 4 semifinals], I just had a good time every day in training. It was just a lot of fun playing with these guys. I was super close to those guys and super close to the team. We supported each other and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with other people.
Most embarrassing moment in football: A few years ago, in a football match, scoring an own goal. I ran to get the ball out of the head and headed it straight into our own goal.
Hardest moment in football: Probably this season, trying to make the switch from centre-back to midfield. It’s just a much faster pace in the middle. It just seems like you’re more important on the pitch, honestly, because you just control the pace of the game and have the ball at your feet a lot more than you would in defence.
Three people you can dine with, dead or alive: my grandfather Don; he died, so it would be nice to talk to him again. And Tom Holland and Leonardo DiCaprio; I really love their movies. And I really like Leonardo DiCaprio’s work on the environment and all that it represents.
Biggest athletic influences: My parents. I appreciate them very much. And my trainer Brian Sullivan; he pushes us every day and expects a lot from us. He’s a great trainer.
Favorite teacher: Brian Sullivan. I never had him as a teacher, but I go to his class a lot. He has always been there for me.
Favorite athlete: [Cincinnati Bengals quarterback] Joe Terrier
Favorite Sports Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Favorite movie: “Spider-Man: No Way Home”
Favorite TV Show: “Peaky Blinders”
Favorite song: “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s
Favorite Food: Bacon and Cheese Fries
Worst thing you’ve eaten: I once ordered octopus at the restaurant. It was horrible.
Projects after high school: I’m most likely going to Virginia Tech next year. I will probably study business computing. I love the interactive aspect and I think it’s super cool to see how far the technology has come. It’s really fun to explore this area.
— Compiled by Robert Niedzwiecki
