Senior soccer player and team captain Zander Perelman is one of 18 players selected for the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association’s All-Ohio Soccer Team. He was also selected for Cleveland.com’s 2014 All Star Team. “Zander is a shining example of the student-athlete,” said Heights High Soccer Coach Sean Sullivan. “He brings sportsmanship, integrity and competitiveness to the field every day.”
He also put the ball in the net 57 times, scoring in every game of this past season. That breaks the team record of 30 goals in a season.
“I like the feeling of scoring, the excitement of that is like nothing else,” said Zander. “Playing striker lets me be involved in most plays and make a difference for the team.”
He also enjoys the team camaraderie and values being part of the Heights Soccer program. “My favorite thing about being on a team is getting to know my team mates and knowing that I can have an impact on them and the team,” he said.
He recognized his coaches, especially Coach Sullivan, for guiding and teaching him. “I know that Coach Sullivan really cares about me,” he said.
Coach Sean Sullivan noted that much of Zander’s success stems from his focused mentality. “When he walks on the field, he switches on an intensity that was great for our entire team,” said Mr. Sullivan.
The team advanced to the second round of playoffs this season, playing in the Sectional Final, despite fielding a young team that lost five senior starters last year.
While Soccer is his primary sport, Zander also plays baseball and will wear the Tiger’s uniform on the diamond this spring.
Zander has made a verbal commitment to play soccer at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, a Division 1 school. He has a 4.2 GPA and plans to study animal behavior at Bucknell.