Coshocton soccer player attends Olympic Development Regional Camp
COSHOCTON – Judah Nelson was selected for the 2015 State Team of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) after a competitive eight months of tryouts and evaluation. His ODP selection was highlighted with an invitation to ODP Regional Camp in Rockford, Illinois. Fourteen different states teams were present representing the top one percent of players in the midwest region. The ODP Regional Camp provides intense training in a competitive environment that is designed to identify exceptional players. The players had the unique opportunity to compete against other elite players while showcasing their soccer talent and work ethic for an influential staff.
Judah said, “I met a lot of good soccer players and made a lot of new friends.” When asked what his favorite part of the camp was he responded, “Trading jerseys with guys from other states. I got an ODP jersey from Kentucky, Minnesota and the Dakotas.”
Judah is an 11-year-old Coshocton student entering the sixth grade. He said, “I started playing soccer at Kids America around two and a half and loved it.” He has been a familiar face at the facility with a soccer ball, training. Judah currently trains and plays a year up in age for F.C. United out of Pickerington, Ohio. He plays right forward and midfielder and he was the team’s leading scorer this past season. His fondest memory of the spring season is F.C. United winning the Nike Challenge Cup.
Judah will be traveling to England with F.C. United later this summer to spend 10 days training and competing with English soccer clubs. When asked what he is looking forward to the most about the trip, he said, “Going to the English Premier League season opener between Chelsea and Arsenal and going to the Chelsea home opener against Manchester City. Chelsea is my favorite team.” F.C. United plans to see three professional games, have four to five training sessions and play four matches in the 10 day visit to England. Judah hopes to make a career out of soccer whether it is playing, coaching or refereeing. He would like to help his team win a high school state championship in the future and a national championship in college.
Category: People & Places
