Athlete Spotlight: James Wood Soccer Player Tommy Houser

Posted: May 29, 2013

James Wood High School 17-year-old senior

Sport: Soccer

Position: Midfielder

Parents: Archie and Patty Houser

Hometown: Winchester (born in Denver)

Nickname: Tomas

When did you start playing soccer: I was three and I played in the rec leagues in Texas. I started playing travel in the fourth or fifth grade. My Dad’s all about it so we were kicking the ball before I could even walk.

What you love about soccer: I like how free flow it is. It’s not structured like football where you have to have stops. It’s very open and it’s one of the more creative games.

Biggest strength and weakness in soccer: [Strength], My vision and touch. [Weakness], I’m slow. I’m not a very fast player.

Sports you always wanted to try: Hockey or ping pong. Hockey is kind of like soccer minus the pads and ice. Ping pong — I just think it’d be cool to play professional ping pong.

Most memorable moment in soccer: Winning the district championship my sophomore year in the 2011 season.

Most embarrassing moment in soccer: When my buddy Michael was on the bus this year and he was turning to do something and he cramped up while he was on his knees on the seat. He started screaming ‘cramp, cramp’ and they turned the lights on on the bus and he was sitting there cramping up.

Favorite athlete: [Brazilian midfielder] Kaka — who plays for Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team.

Favorite sports team: Real Madrid

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: [Actor] Will Smith, [Actor] Will Ferrell and my uncle Nels Pearsal. I always thought my uncle reminded me of Will Ferrell in a weird way, and I thought that would be a funny bunch. He kind of looks like Will Ferrell and he’s one of my humorous uncles.

Favorite Quote: “When life gives you lemons — paint it gold” — James Wood boys’ soccer coach Matt Dunsmore.

Favorite subject in school: English or history.

What’s on the iPod: Rap, hip-hop and occasionally country.

Pregame routine/ritual: Usually we’ll go warm up behind the press box, and I put my headphones in and juggle a little bit on my own. I always have to have my shoes tied really tight.

Plans after high school: I’m going to U.Va. in the fall. I applied early, and I got in in January and pretty much by then I had already decided to go there.

— Compiled by Robert Stocks