If you have any association with youth sports, no matter how minimal, you’ve undoubtedly heard a player, coach or parent talk about a particular individual as “going to be a professional athlete” someday. No matter the sentiment or talent involved, reality is a much different story

In a 2021 survey, the U.S. National Council of Youth Sports estimated that roughly 60 million American kids, aged 6-18, are participating in youth sports. The number of high school athletes is just under eight million (814,000 in California).

According to the NCAA, the number of student-athletes across its 1,118 Division I, II and III institutions is 466,000 (417 per school). That’s not a “scholarship athlete” figure but a list where more than one third are from Division III schools in which scholarships are not awarded, it includes a substantial number of walk-on players and is also impacted by more than 20,000 elite foreign athletes.

Of those 466,000 collegiate competitors, the NCAA says that just two percent “go pro” in their specialty. Working the math backwards, the chances of those predictions about “kids who are going to be professional athletes” coming to fruition is incredibly slim.

In truth, the 13% who play youth sports and advance even to the high school level have accomplished something pretty extraordinary. Six local athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 and have just finished their first year of college athletics, all in unique locations with unique results, shared their thoughts on year one of college, the recruiting process and some of the things they’ve learned.

STEFANO BRUNETTO

Men’s Soccer

Cal State San Marcos (Cathedral Catholic)

A slick, 5-4, 140-lb. forward, Brunetto decided to stay local with up-and-coming Division II Cal State San Marcos and everyone has been happy with the early returns. The Cougars struggled as a team but Brunetto started 15 games and was their points leader with two goals and four assists.

“San Marcos was an easy choice for me,” said Brunetto who grew up in Bay Park. “My biggest thing was to play soccer in California, close to home but not too close. The school is fairly new, class sizes are small, which is something I enjoy, and it was all positive—it felt like home for me.” As for his first year, Brunetto was pleased with his progress.

“I had a really good time, thought I played well,” he said. “From fall to spring, I grew so much in that small period of time. I got accustomed to the college game which is much faster than high school. Through weight training, I grew physically. I also became much better organized and feel like I developed better mental strength dealing with the demands of sports and school.”

The biggest difference between college and high school? “In high school, you can be the best player on your team, play all 90 minutes quite easily,” said Brunetto, a key player on Cathedral Catholic’s 2021 CIF Open Division title team. “In the college game, you’re playing a role and it’s a lot more physically demanding—you hit that 50-60 minute mark and you start feeling it in your legs.

“It’s also more technical, there’s more formational play—you need to play simple and pick the right time to show some flair.”

Veteran coach Ron Pulvers, is as excited to have his young standout as Brunetto is to be part of his team. “Stef has been an absolute gem for our program,” says Pulvers. “He’s a super dedicated student-athlete, has excelled in the classroom and has demonstrated an appetite for scholarly success.

“He’s a high character guy. On the field he really wants to be coached and is fully bought into everything we are trying to achieve. He is incredibly well-liked by both his peers and coaches and I see a very bright future for him.”

On the academic side, Brunetto feels his performance was better in college than high school. “I took only four classes per semester, which challenged me just the right amount,” he said. “The professors made it easy to give my best work for them.”

He also praised the benefits and support CSUSM provides for its student-athletes, including regular access to the training room, the team’s own locker room and the ability to register early for classes. He lives in the new North Commons and was literally the first student to ever occupy his room. There’s also the athletic department staff.

“I think all of the support we have from the staff is one of the best benefits,” said Brunetto. “When I walk around campus, I see staff, know them and they know me. They provide us so many things.”

This summer, Brunetto will be making it a point to be in the gym, eating right and getting enough sleep. “I’m going to be focused on training, building strength and fitness for fall—making my body feel 100% when we report back in August.”

Continue reading the full story at Del Mar Times – Solana Beach Sun – Carmel Valley News.