Austin Thornberg is a senior on the Okemos Boys Soccer Team this year and is having a terrific year so far even though they didn’t win the Balconi Invitational in Plymouth-Canton. “The season is going good. It would have been nice to get some silverware today, but we showed that we could hang with some of the best programs in the state. Playing against tough opposition is how you know if you are one of the best. We showed today that we are up there. Now we’re just focusing on the league and the league cup, and we will go from there,” Thornberg commented.
Thornberg is a center back for Okemos and enjoys the position as it helps him communicate with his team. “I like it,” Thornberg said. I feel comfortable back there, and it’s nice seeing the whole field. It’s easier to talk to the rest of my team when I can see everything and tell them whats going on. As a captain, a vital part of playing is communicating with your team and making sure everyone knows what’s around them and gets the information they need. Also, hitting long balls to forwards in behind is a big part of my game,” Thornberg mentioned.
Thornberg was also named a captain for the Okemos Soccer Team this year and said it’s a big honor to be called a captain. “Well, we vote as a team for our captains, so it was nice to know that a lot of the guys on our team look up to me and respect me to name me captain. Ty and I would give a lot for these guys, and I’m sure they would do the same,” Thornberg added.
Thornberg got into the game from watching his brother play soccer and also from watching his favorite soccer team, Liverpool FC, from the English Premier League. “I always looked up to my brother, so I followed in his footsteps and started playing when I was 5. I also watched Liverpool growing up with players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were big inspirations,” Thornberg said.
Thornberg says watching Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk has made him a better defender when he steps on the field. “All those guys are big inspirations, especially watching a player like Van Dijk. I think watching how he plays as a center back has helped me improve as a defender. Watching his positioning and decision making in the game is a big part of how I learn. Being one of the best defenders in the world. Its good to learn off of the best,” Thornberg stated.
Playing for a historic program like Okemos is always special and Thornberg likes playing for such a great program and a great school. “It’s a great experience. All of the history and tradition our program holds makes it an honor to represent. Okemos has always been a team to set big goals, and our team this year is no different. We’re looking for lots of results and silverware,” Thornberg said.
Soccer has taught Thornberg a lot over the years, and they will be lessons that he will keep for the rest of his life. “The main things soccer has taught me is problem solving and leadership. There’s a lot of split-second decisions you have to make to fix a problem, and being a leader on and off the field is very important. Learning to work with others is also very important as well,” Thornberg commented.
Thornberg is a senior this year and will miss a lot about high school soccer when it is all over. He will miss the friends that he has met playing the sport he loves. “The biggest thing I’ll miss is playing against a lot of guys I know. There are people that I play with at Club currently and have in the past, and it’s such a good experience to play against them in high school. It makes it that much more competitive,” Thornberg added.