From Rio de Janeiro to Independence, Mo., Victor Loureiro is this month's Athlete
Spotlight.
Loureiro will be a sophomore midfielder for the Trail Blazers in 2013. He started in 13 games in 2012 and was an important defensive part of the Trail Blazers Region 16 Semifinal team.
While growing up,Loureiro played youth soccer for Botafogo FR. His youth teams placed third and fourth in the futsal Rio State Championships. He also played high school soccer for Centro Educacional Da Lagoa.
Loureiro came to the United States with the goal of studying architecture and transferring to a four-year university. He also expresssed, upon his arrival, a huge desire to see snow. His favorite thing about living in the United States is playing and becoming friends with his American teammates.
His least favorite thing is now snow. With the arrival of fellow Brazilian Danilo Cruz,Loureiro will continue to bring Brazilian flair to the Trail Blazer program in 2013.
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With the 2013 season around the corner, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic. Joining a strong core of returning players are new recruits from around the Kansas City area, as well as internationally! Incoming freshman signings are:
Isaac Benner, FW, Smithville High School (check out the St. Joseph News-Press)
Coleman Childers, MF, Grain Valley High School
Clay Cook, DF, Blue Springs High School
Blake Cook, GK, St. Pius High School
Taylor Corwin, MF, Truman High School
Mario Curiale, GK, Raymore-Peculiar High School
Christian Davenport, DF, Rockhurst High School
Zach Felz, MF, Truman High School
Daniel Parker, DF, Smithville High School
Julian Ramirez, DF, Blue Springs High School (check out the full article by the Independence Examiner)
Caleb Rivera, DF, Lees Summit West High School
Josh Tate, FW, Blue Springs South High School
Clement Van Worth, FW, Fort Osage High School
With a good mix of new, returning, international and walk-on players, competition for playing time will be intense. Coach Owens is hoping the intensity will translate into the hard work necessary to be successful in 2013!
Justin Schaeffer signed a letter of intent to play soccer at NCAA D2 Southwest Baptist University, While at MCC-Blue River, Justin excelled on the field, but also in the classroom and community. He earned the Trail Blazer Scholar Athlete and the MCC-Blue River Leadership and Service Award. For more information on Justin's signing, check out http://sbubearcats.com/news/2013/3/26/MSOC_0326134601.aspx.
Paulo Novo was rewarded for his remarkable 2012 season by being selected as one of the top 11 players in the country. His First Team All-American selection is a result of a prolific offensive output. Paulo led the NJCAA in both scoring (32 goals) and points (70). He had nine multiple-goal games, including seven goals against Wentworth and five goals against Jefferson.
Novo's marks the second time Blue River had both an NJCAA All-American award winner and Region 16 Player of the Year in the past two seasons. Yacine Hamchaoui was a Second Team All-American and Region 16 Player of the Year in 2011.
The NJCAA voted Paulo Novo as the Region 16 player of the year for his outstanding performance this season. Cody Braden was also selected to the Region 16 Second Team as the No. 12 player in Missouri. Braden led all Missouri junior college players with 10 assist. He also contributed five goals from midfield.
The Region 16 selections were followed by the Trail Blazers Awards Program Nov. 16.
Student-athletes earning recognition for outstanding contribution to the Trail Blazer program
in 2012 were:
Paulo Novo and Cody Braden - Offensive MVPs
Justin Schaeffer - Defensive MVP
Alejandro Romero - Leadership Award
Sam Groves - Most Improved Player Award
Additionally, MCC-Blue River President Michael Banks presented the Trail Blazer Scholar Athlete Award to Justin Schaeffer. This award is presented to the student-athlete that best exemplifies excellence in the classroom, on the field and in the community.
Congratulations to all award winners.
