Sondheimer: Diego Ayigo Ayeo Martinez of Liola did not give up the dream of football

When Diego Ayigo Ayal Martinez was 14 years old in Liola Hai, the beginner football team tried. He will never forget the day he discovered that he was cut after looking at the list registered into a window in the cabinet room.

He said, “I remember going to lunch with my friends.” “I walk and do not see my name. I am confused and shocked. After that, I went to talk to the coach [Chris] Walter. He said that there are many children who tried to go out and were on the border. Every year, trainers have to make some difficult decisions. “

So what did Ayala Martinez do then?

Did he get his parents to make a phone call? Did he go home and throw football on his bed? Do you have a wall? Did you decide to transfer?

He said: “I remained confident in my ability.” “I definitely knew that I would work hard and go out better. My mentality did not give the coach a reason to cut me again.”

What he did is to prepare for another opportunity in the second year. The Eskwach team made the novice and became a beginning. Then make the Varsity team as young and barely played. He did not resign. Last summer, he resolved to obtain the starting role in his supreme year.

He said: “I went mainly every day to the field for two or three hours with my friend.” “We were running and doing exercises.”

Ayala-Martinez is the starting center of the cubs that were not defeated (17-0), which was manufactured No. 7 in the open soccer qualifiers in the southern section.

Walter said: “It is one of the reasons that we have achieved great success in the defense,” Walter said.

There are nine major beginners.

Walter said: “It is a very close group.” “They work very hard together.”

On 6 feet 2, Ayala Martinez became one of the best defenders in the mission league, where Liola went 10-0. Cubs begin in the qualifiers on Wednesday with a match on their land against Mater Dei, ranked 2, Division 1 champion for the last season.

If we look back, Ayala Martinez laughed that he made the football team as a new student but not the Fútbol team. Of course, everyone who goes out for a student football in Liwala makes the team.

Exit football, though, was to check early in high school life. The seizure and challenge of the adversity was to know how it would respond.

Thanks to the average degree of 4.2 points and accepted in USC, Ayala Martinez has already learned lessons that help him as an adult. Eliminating the novice team and returning to trying more difficult is certainly the same.

“Just do not give up,” he said. “Stay positive and honest with yourself. The biggest thing for me is not feeling sorry for yourself. Keep working and get there.”

Ayala Martinez and his family live in Tadina, where Etone fire caused destruction. They escaped from disasters with a fence in the burning backyard only, but the neighbors’ homes were in ashes and the family was homeless. His mother said that football and school helped her son.

“We are very proud of him – work ethics, flexibility and a gentle heart,” said Adriana Martinez.

Ayala Martinez said his football experience will not be forgotten.

“This is one of my biggest things, the relationship with football and life on and outside the field,” he said.