Quest Alumni DiariesMatt Koh
Biography Information I only began playing soccer 5 years ago and out of those five years, I've spent two thirds of my soccer career at Quest. At Quest, I played with many great competitors under a great coaching staff and great facility. During the last three years, my game has improved and has allowed me to get a chance at playing Wake Forest University which I am currently attending. When I came to Wake Forest, I came with high expectations of myself and of the program at Wake. So far, the latter has been what I have expected out of one of the top programs in the country. As for the expectations of myself at the college level of the Atlantic Coast Conference, I have learned a lot and let's just say I have been humbled. There is still so much for me to learn about the game of soccer! Gladly, the Quest coaching staff has coached me in such a way that I was able to change this experience into a positive experience and not getting down on myself for not starting or even playing in the games. Always give your best effort, right? My teammates up here are some of the most intense and passionate people I have ever seen about soccer. They are all great players and have achieved many things before they came to Wake Forest: National Team, National pool, Region team, All-American, etc. From each one of them I have something to learn about the game of soccer. However, out of all the players I have encounter up here, Brian Carrol has been the most inspiring player for me. He was on the U-20 team and played with the US National Team down in Argentina this past summer. He probably is the best player on the team, yet he works the hardest. His work ethic is something inspiring. Being around players like Brian and others has improved my passing game, fitness level, and the whole brain part of the game. Even though I am on academic scholarship at Wake, instead of soccer scholarship, the weeks up here have been the most vital part of soccer career. Not only that, it has been a very time for me to grow as an adult and a more matured person. Being a student-athlete isn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. Academics at Wake Forest are very demanding being one of the top institutions in the country and soccer is also very demanding physically and mentally as well. To balance those two areas out, I have learned to manage my time better and also be more responsible with what I do with my time. Like many people have probably told you for upcoming college students, college is a whole new beginning both for athletics and academics. For some of you, it might take a time to adjust to the college level of soccer like me. And for some of you, it may not. But whatever happens, there will always be a result when you give your best every time you step on the field. I wish the best of luck to everybody who is looking to play soccer in college! Matt Domenick
Biography Information Quest has the facilities, coaching, and competitive scheduling necessary for development of successful college soccer players. When I played at UAB, the best player I played with was Dave Clemente, who now plays goalkeeper for the Atlanta Silverbacks. In college, I have learned to push myself harder during practice and games. Grant Kevins
Biography Information The Quest prepared me for the next level by offering the best coaches in the game. I learned not only how to use my athletic talents to my advantage, but also learned how the game was played. Over the years, my passion for the game has become greater and greater because of the wonderful coaching staff. The Quest also provided for me the best competition in the state and in the world. We travelled to tournaments such as the Sun Bowl, Dallas Cup, and many college showcases that enabled me to be seen as a player. While playing with Quest for six years, I was fortunate enough to have been put with the players that I was put with. I had the luxury of seeing them at practice three times a week, but I also had very close relationships with many of them that will be my best friends until I die. Jon Scraggs and myself got in a fist fight the first time we met and over the years we now are best friends. Scraggs is definitely the best center midfielder pound for pound for his age group. He explodes on the field with skill and confidence which is very important to for a soccer player. Devon Prescod and Steve Rhyne are without question the best forward combination I have ever seen. They are always linking passes together to score goals and make everyone elses' lives easier. They have bright futures ahead of them in the MS. Finally the last player I wanted to talk about is Chris Austin. Austin brought 100% to every training session and put all of us under the pressure we needed to prepare for the game. Without players like him, soccer teams just don't run right. My soccer team mates are also my best friends. Since I have been out of high school, I have improved immensely as a soccer player. I have become a lot stronger and faster by working out with a professional trainer, Mike Barwitz. Mike has not only improved me physically, but also mentally. He showed me a "no mercy" attitude and I have become a lot more intense and hard working as a player. I chose to go to West Virginia because of the environment. It is a great school academically where I could also cut lose and have a lot of fun, while still focusing on what was important, soccer. I also saw a lot of potential in the team and thought I could make a difference. I could have attended higher level colleges such as North Carolina or St. Johns, but I don't think I would have been as happy as I am now. I received a soccer scholarship that pays for all of my schooling and some of my housing. Balancing soccer and academics is very tough. Usually I end up missing a lot of classes due to competitions, but the teachers are very understanding and allow you to make up anything you miss due to your sport. Athletes also receive first priority class scheduling, even in front of the smart honor students, so it isn't so bad to be a jock! College was everything I anticipated it to be and I feel like I was prepared for it. I don't really have a favorite player, but I love watching Manchester United play. They have so many good players it is hard just to pick one. Over all I would have to say Ole Gunner is my favorite player because he has no mercy even when the score is out of hand as it is, he just keeps on scoring. Hard work and good competition has gotten me where I am today, along with my coaches at the Quest.
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