Athlete of the week-Jac Gould

Teammate David Garlick, JE '98, commented, "Jac is one of the most dangerous players. If you take incredible speed and skill and put them together, you get Jac." Gould is one of the fastest competitors in the Ivy League. Soccer is just one of his many t alents. In the spring, he also runs the 100, 200, and 400 meter races for the track team.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH

Last year, he earned second-team All-Ivy recognition even though he missed almost half the season as a result of a thigh injury. Gould was the team's second leading scorer with 17 points, and he aspires to break the single season scoring record set in 1952. In league games last season, he scored six goals and added an assist, bringing his total to 13 points, which makes him the league leader. Gould, a Phoenix native, started to play soccer as a first grader. His mother, once a high school soccer player herself, introduced her son to the game on a visit to his grandmother's house one day. He saw kids playing the game at school and realized how much he wanted to join them. Despite the fact that his mother first involved him in the game, Gould credits his father as the driving force that has kept him in soccer throughout the years.

The summer of 1996 marked a career highlight for him, if not a lifetime highlight. His club team made it to nationals, and Gould was a huge factor in winning the pivotal game. In the championship game, he scored and had an assist. "It was so exciting because it was the first time our club team ever went that far," Gould said.

Part of Gould's success is due to his high level of motivation. "If he gets an idea, he goes out and gets it accomplished," Caperonis said. There is no doubt that something must be driving him to achieve and do so well. With all these great attributes, i t is surprising to discover how humble Gould really is.

He describes himself as a mellow and easy-going guy, but it was easy to see that he was not very comfortable talking about himself. He was shocked that he was chosen for this recognition and thinks himself very undeserving.

Garlick, like others, admires Gould's humility. "Jac gets a lot of press attention and recognition, but it doesn't phase him; he doesn't let it get to his head," he said. "He's still the all-around good guy he is."

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