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Well it seems that St Charles
College student-athlete Nick Charlemagne is not about “Just Soccer”
these days. The talented 16 year-old is quickly making a name for
himself as a member of the Cardinals backfield, joining long-time soccer
compatriot Marco Armiento on the football field.
But make no mistake –
soccer is clearly where Charlemagne is in his element. Born in Sudbury,
Charlemagne first started in the sport with Sudburnia at the age of
seven, hooking up with an all-star team in his second season that would
form his first contact with coach Arvo Lang.
Lang would continue to
move forward with a core group that included Trevor Cuddy, Jacob
Johnston, David Hysen and Derek Lang, suiting up with Panhellenic soccer
teams for the past six years or so. But right from the start,
Charlemagne identified with what he most enjoyed.
“I really like to score
goals” he laughs, no big secret here for the folks who have watch him
weave and dangle his way through opposing defenders over the years. “The
key is to get yourself into open position – you need speed to create
chances…and it helps to be aggressive” Charlemagne explains.
Despite never having
donned football pads in his life, Charlemagne appears to be a quick
study, using the same speed and aggressiveness that have served him well
on the soccer pitch to equally good use on the gridiron. Charlemagne and Armiento each scored a pair of touchdowns in the Cardinals
season-opening win over Lasalle.
Why football? “It’s
something to do – I don’t like to just sit around and do nothing” admits
Charlemagne. Still, he recognizes the lost opportunities in soccer as he
nears the end of his competitive youth career. “I should be taking
competitive soccer more seriously” he acknowledges, adding that he
really enjoys suiting up with the St Charles College soccer contingent
each year.
Next September,
Charlemagne is looking forward to attending Cambrian College, possibly
in Law Enforcement, and enjoying the opportunity to play under former St
Charles College grad Brian Ashton. Just another opportunity to torment
opposing defenders.
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Nick
Charlemagne, Panhellenic
Timberwolves 1988
“I really like to score goals" he laughs, no big
secret here for the folks who have watch him weave and dangle his way
through opposing defenders over the years. “The
key is to get yourself into open position – you need speed to create
chances…and it helps to be aggressive”
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