BY HEIDI ZENEFSKI
Correspondent

Jared Geisler started playing soccer 13 years ago when he was four-years-old. “I began playing because I wanted to try it, and loved playing from there,” he said.

The Montrose senior is the Independent’s Student Athlete of the Week.

He continues to love the game. “I like how there’s an unlimited amount of ways to play and the excitement that comes when you find the right one. I also enjoy the uniqueness that comes with not being allowed to use your hands.”

The Meteors’ season has had its ups and downs so far. They have lost two games that they hoped they would win, but overall, they’re in the positive. Geisler said, “We are currently in third place in our league.
Our plans are to keep improving, work hard and then do the best we can. We expect to have a good run through the playoffs.”

The Meteors have a young team with only two returning seniors this year. The team graduated five seniors last year and ten the year before, so it has been a year of building and growth, but the underclassmen, comprised mainly of freshmen and sophomores, have really stepped up.

Geisler has been playing sports his whole life. “I have previously been involved in Basketball and Track, and I played baseball up until 7th grade.”

Outside of school Geisler, who has a part-time job at a local grocery store says, “I enjoy playing nearly anything with a ball. I just like finding little ways to have fun.”

He is an Eagle Scout and traveling has been a big part of his life. “I have traveled a lot. I have been to 40 states. I will add another to make it 41 next month because I am going to Texas in November. I have also been to eight other countries.”

Italy is his favorite so far.

Geisler says he finds inspiration all around him.

“Everyone inspires me in their own little way because every day I see good things in people. It’s easy to find the good in people.”

He is the fifth of six children, which gives him a large support group. “I have the best support group in the world, from my parents and my family to my friends and teachers and also my coaches and teammates.”

His future plans are to attend Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and then go onto graduate school to become a physical therapist.