THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 23, 1995 TAG: 9511180582
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, COMPASS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
BOBBY MITCHELL HAS no problem scoring goals.
In fact, the Norfolk Collegiate sophomore was fifth in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools' league scoring with 16 for the season, good enough to land him a spot on the post-season all-star soccer team.
But Mitchell, 15, has his mind set on long-term goals and is doing everything he can to make sure he scores.
``I'm really looking forward to playing in college,'' he said. ``That's my goal right now.''
Though college play may be a couple of years away, the skills to get Mitchell there aren't.
Mitchell, Norfolk's only representative on the Olympic Development Program's region team, will spend his Thanksgiving vacation in Florida at tryouts for the ODP National team, an elite squad of 18 players selected from the regional pool. The ODP National team, which is the highest level of amateur competition in the country, competes against teams from around the world as well as international all-star teams. The U.S. Olympic team is developed and selected from the pool of players that make up the national team.
While three-sport athletes are no longer uncommon, Mitchell prides himself in concentrating on soccer and his school work.
``You have to be pretty committed to go to all these tournaments,'' said Mitchell, who's also an honor roll student. ``I just have to manage my time.''
His time includes a stint with the defending Under-15 state champion Williamsburg Wizards, who own the last four of five state crowns. The Commonwealth and Virginia State Games district teams. International play in Austria that took third behind the French and Slovenian national teams. And countless hours at summer camps training under the direction of some of the most prestigious college coaches around.
``I just like playing against the other guys who are good,'' said Mitchell, who says he usually doesn't have much time to do anything but play soccer. ``I like to compete.''
But during the Norfolk Collegiate season, Mitchell says he gets to relax and he doesn't feel the pressure on the field.
``It's kind of laid back,'' he said. ``But it's really the only time I get to see my friends. It's a lot of fun and our team always does well.
``I just enjoy the game. If I have the chance to play at higher levels, I take it. I figure if I do well and enjoy it, I'll stick with it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Norfolk Collegiate's Bobby Mitchell also plays for the
Williamsburg Wizards.
by CNB