Senior Athlete Spotlight: Mario Paredes

From the moment he stepped onto Palmer Trinity’s soccer fields as a 6^th grader on the MSJV Boys Soccer team, Mario Paredes was determined to succeed and advance through the Falcons’ Boys Soccer program. Each year, Paredes took a significant step. In 7^th grade, he made the MSV Boys Soccer team before being named captain as an 8^th grader. As a freshman, Paredes was named captain of the JV Soccer team and was moved up to Varsity by the end of the year. Sophomore year marked Paredes’s first year as a full-time Varsity player, followed by his first game as a captain as a junior. Now a senior, Paredes is the full-time captain and leader for the Varsity Boys Soccer team.

 

Paredes believes his field and leadership experience led him to learn and grow quickly. Paredes, who started playing soccer at the age of three after being encouraged by his father, has played every position on the field. After starting as a striker, Paredes moved to goalie before settling in as a midfielder and center back on the Varsity team. As a leader, Paredes said his growth comes from the leaders before him. “I tried to copy them on and off the field because they set the standards,” Paredes recalls of his previous captains. Varsity Head Coach Tunde Adeyemi has always been impressed by the leadership qualities Paredes shows. “Mario is the true reflection of what it means to be committed, hardworking, and responsible,” Adeyemi describes of his captain.

 

Reflecting upon his time at Palmer Trinity, Paredes’s favorite memory is defeating Westminster Christian in the Regional Semifinals in 2023. “The passion during that game from our classmates and families along with the team’s determination is unmatched,” says Paredes of the 3-1 upset win in front of a packed crowd.

 

Paredes is excited for the future of the program under the stewardship of Adeyemi. Paredes believes that by instilling values in the team such as discipline and loyalty, checking in on student-athletes academically, and teaching his vast knowledge of the game, Adeyemi is creating more than just soccer players. “He changed the attitude of the players and has created this huge sense of passion in the locker room. He pushes us to our maximum limits and strives to create the best version of ourselves on and off the field.”

 

Off the field, Paredes loves to bike and play padel.  He is also known as a diehard Manchester United fan and enjoys waking up early on the weekends to watch Premier League games with his father.  Paredes helps to run the Plates4Purpose community service club that helps provide meals to immigrants who have just come to the United States. Paredes claims Mexican cuisine, such as enchiladas and chilaquiles, as his favorite food and Casino Royale as his favorite movie. In the fall, Paredes will attend Boston University where he plans to study International Relations.

 

Be sure to come out and support Mario and the rest of the Varsity Boys Soccer team beginning with the District Tournament on Thursday, January 23^rd.

 

Go Falcons!