Name: Will Braubach
Age: 16
Grade: Sophomore
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School: Niles North High School
Accomplishments: All-around athlete Will Braubach has competed at the highest levels in Gaelic football and soccer. He started for the Niles North varsity soccer squad as a freshman, and also played first doubles for the Vikings varsity tennis his freshman year.
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For the past two summers, Braubach has been a member of the North American U-16 Gaelic football team that has competed against top teams from Ireland and Great Britain. In 2010, the North American team came in second place to a team from London.
“Gaelic Football is quite thrilling. It’s somewhat of a cross between rugby and soccer, but it involves more running and violence than soccer,” Braubach said.
Braubach was invited to join the North American U-21 team, but declined. “At that level they break body parts, and I don’t want to ruin my future chances with soccer.”
And soccer has been Braubach’s main athletic endeavor for most of his life. He has been playing the game since age 5 and has been a member of the prestigious FC Tokoto Soccer Club, one of the top travel soccer teams in the Midwest, for the past two years. Braubach has also been a key defensive player for the Niles North soccer team and will be one of the experienced players returning to next year’s starting lineup.
Braubach has also been a welcome addition to the Niles North tennis squad, even though he never played the game seriously before high school. “He is a great athlete with incredible natural skills.
"He moves well, has good hands and excellent footwork from soccer," remarked Head Tennis Coach Rich Jaffe. “He’s aggressive at the net and likes to poach. His potential is off the charts. But more importantly, Will knows how to compete and he never gives up—even when he’s going against more seasoned competition."
Key to Awesomeness: "I love to compete. I really enjoy all the sports I play and they help me reduce stress and feel more relaxed. I look forward to playing sports until I am an old man,” Braubach said.
Braubach is also a serious student focusing on the sciences. He is taking four honors courses and an AP class, and plans on taking five AP courses his junior year. While college is still some way off, Braubach hopes to play division one soccer.
“I hope to play for Northwestern one day, but I know that will be tough and I’ll need to get really good grades,” he added.
