Wildcat of the week: Eli Gratz

Sophomore goalie Eli Gratz warms up before the Sept. 26 game vs Ottawa.

Maggie Kroeger

Sophomore goalie Eli Gratz warms up before the Sept. 26 game vs Ottawa.

Being pulled up to varsity can be a big dream for many players. For sophomore Eli Gratz, this dream has become a reality.

After senior varsity goalie Blake Webber was injured during an away game at Louisburg, Gratz got the opportunity to play a varsity position. He has played in four and a half varsity games so far this season.

“[Varsity is] very exciting and competitive. JV games are so slow, [while] the varsity games are much more fast paced and a lot more fun,” Gratz said.

According to his teammates, Gratz has been doing well at filling the spot.

 “I think Eli has been playing great. He came in a very vital time during the Louisburg game and helped us come out on top with a league win, taking down the only undefeated team in our league,” fellow varsity teammate Adam Lee said.

Time on the field isn’t the only part Gratz enjoys.

“[The best part] is playing with all of these incredible people. It’s more like a family than a team, and I love these guys to death,” Gratz.

When he is not participating in high school soccer, Gratz is participating in club soccer.

“I play for Kansas Rush Academy 02, and I also play for Kansas ODP, which is the Olympic Development Program for Division 1,” Gratz said.

As well as devoting a significant amount of time to soccer, Gratz also participates in the De Soto boys’ swim team as a diver and band as a percussionist.

His heavy participation in and outside the halls of DHS shows his dedication and involvement.