Athlete of the week

Name: Leo Castillo

Classification: Junior

Major: General studies

Sport: Soccer

Position: Goalkeeper

Hometown: Houston

Who is your favorite athlete?

“Hugo Lloris.” Lloris is a professional soccer player for the Tottenham Hotspur English clubvand the French national team.

Who is your role model?

“Dwayne Johnson.” Johnson, aka “The Rock,” is an American actor and professional wrestler.

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given and by whom?

“Be the hardest worker in the team. Be the hardest worker in the room. By Dwayne.”

What do you like to do for fun?

“Hanging out with friends and family.”

When did you begin playing soccer and why did you start playing?

“I started playing soccer at the age of 7. Before that, I started kicking the ball around with my brothers since I was 4. Started playing keeper when I was 13. I started because at halftime at a game, the goalkeeper got injured, and the coach asked who wanted to go in as goal in the team. I didn’t get to choose, but my brother chose me for the coach to put me in at goal and I stayed in there.”

Did you play in high school and did you get any awards?

“No, I did not play in high school. I played with the Houston Dynamo Academy.”

What are your goals for the season?

“My goals for the season is to get a conference tournament title and work hard in the NCAA tournament to get a national championship.”

What is your favorite movie?

“Home Alone.”

Is there a song that gets your head in the game?

“El Taxi,’ by Pitbull.”

What are your plans for the Fall 2015 semester?

“Work hard during every practice session. Get my schoolwork done so I can play.”

How do you feel about being part of the first UTRGV Men’s Soccer Team?

“I feel very honored. Getting recruited by Coach [Paul] Leese. It’s a really good accomplishment. I think that many kids want to be here in my spot and I’m very pleased with the recruitment of Paul. I’m ready to work hard.”

–Compiled by Jacqueline Arias