HEAVENER’S JOSEPH VELAZQUEZ
By Buck Ringgold
Joseph Velazquez was glad to be able to step onto the field for Heavener’s varsity soccer team as a freshman.
However, he had to deal with injury issues which hampered his season.
Needless to say, going into his sophomore season with the Wolves, Velazquez is more than determined to stay healthy and help Heavener make a run at a state tournament berth.
“I had a broken wrist and was out for almost two months and only got to play about five games,” Velazquez said. “This season, I’m feeling better doing conditioning and training.”
When healthy, Velazquez scored three goals, and one really stood out for him.
“My favorite goal was probably when I got the ball from a clearance and shot to the top right corner,” he said.
By all accounts, it was quite a successful season for the Wolves. They won a total of 13 games, which included wins against Class 5A McAlester. The Wolves also reeled off a nine-game winning streak that extended into the start of postseason play, eventually reaching the Class 3A quarterfinals.
Heavener began its playoff run with a 3-2 win against Verdigris. However, the Wolves’ season came to an end in the 3A quarterfinal round with a loss to Oklahoma City-based school Casady.
Now, Velazquez and his teammates are seeking to take the next step.
“I’m a left winger and can play in the midfield,” Velazquez said. “I’m looking forward for the team to do good and try and win as much games as possible.
“I would like to contribute by assisting and scoring, and also hope to get better physically.”
Velazquez has also been determined to stay injury-free this upcoming season. That included extensive workouts under the hot summer sun, something Velazquez believes can pay off with the season starting in the waning moments of winter.
“I trained in the summer by myself and with my teammates,” Velazquez said.
There are several strengths that Velazquez believes he brings to the table. But two are really prevalent for him.
“My strengths are my speed and my dribbling,” Velazquez said.
Playing soccer has been a lifelong obsession for Velazquez, and it goes back to his earliest years.
“I’ve liked playing soccer since I was a kid and liked playing with friends and having fun,” Velazquez said.
There was another inspiration for Velazquez to take up playing soccer. He learned the game from his father, Isidro.
“I watched my dad play and that made love playing the sport,” the younger Velazquez said.
His favorite team is Barcelona and his favorite player is Raphina, a player Velazquez described as “aggressive and has wonderful dribbling.”
Not only has Velazquez played with Heavener, he’s also spent time playing club soccer.
“I used to play club soccer with River Valley FC,” he said. “I am thinking about joining a club in the future.”
Velazquez also makes sure that he takes care of his business on the academic side of things.
“I have a 3.94 GPA and always try keep an A on all subjects,” he said.
But as far as his future, whether it’s soccer or academics, Velazquez maintains it’s too early to think about what he wants to do just yet.
“I haven’t really thought about what to do beyond high school,” he said.
However, as far as Velazquez is concerned, the here and now is wanting to help bring Heavener to its first-ever state tournament appearance. Not to mention staying injury-free all season long.
“I like that my teammates have fun and also try to win,” Velazquez said. “We will focus on one game at a time, practice, and keep a good mindset.”
