Vitor Geromel wants a repeat of last year’s soccer season at Maize South High School. The senior, who was just named USA Today’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year, says it would be unheard of for a team to go undefeated two years in a row. 

But, that’s what he wants. 

“It would be crazy to do two years in a row,” Vitor said. “But we have the team to do it.”

The 17-year-old started playing soccer when he was around three years old. His dad, Edo, played basketball in school growing up but would also play soccer with his school friends at recess and after school. 

Vitor’s soccer achievements from last year include:

• He helped power the Mavericks to a perfect 21-0 record.

• He was part of the team’s 5A State Championship, the first boys soccer title in the school’s history.

• Vitor set the single season record with 42 goals last year.

• He tied the single season record with 18 assists.

• He earned Class 5A Midfielder of the Year. 

Vitor, Gisele, and Edo were in Brazil visiting family  in the summer when they received the news that Vitor was named USA Today’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Vitor and Edo said being around family when finding out Vitor won made the moment even more special.

“All the little cousins started to scream, the family starts to jump up and down,” Edo said. “All the little kids were in awe of the big cousin being there.”

Vitor said he was surprised he won. He was the only athlete from Kansas nominated for the award.

“It was a good feeling, just being nominated. If you look at the nominations, there’s a lot of talented players all over the nation,” he said. “It was a great feeling to be able to celebrate with family because we were already all together. That was really nice.”

Vitor said he likes soccer because it’s not a solo sport.

“You rely so heavily on your team, you’re able to make a difference being able to play with your team to achieve a goal,” he said. “I just like that aspect and the competitiveness.”

Maize South boys soccer was 21-0 last year. 

“We knew we had a team capable of achieving great success,” Vitor said. “We knew we could go all the way and just to see that plan be executed, that was a great feeling. We worked really hard, and everything went smoothly for us to be able to win state and go undefeated.”

Maize South High School Boys Soccer Coach Rey Ramirez said Vitor is every coach’s dream player.

“A selfless player, a selfless human being, Vitor is the epitome of what a student-athlete should strive to be,” Ramirez said. “The opportunity to coach and work with such an exceptional young man doesn’t come very often. I’ve learned to savor and enjoy every moment and every opportunity that we have to interact with Vitor. He gives his teammates the self-belief they need and gives the coaching staff the fuel we need to strive for improvement every day.”

Vitor has committed to play soccer at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, after high school. He said he picked Clemson because of the attention they give athletes and the rigor of its academic program. 

Vitor plans to major in either business or engineering and said he’s interested in playing soccer professionally after college.

But first, Vitor and his Maverick teammates will start their Maize South season against Andover High School on Aug. 29. 

His 14-year-old sister Gisele, a freshman at Maize South, said she’s proud of her big brother. 

“I’m just super happy to see all of his dreams come true,” she said. “He’s always wanted to play in college, and it’s going to be a good next step for him.”

Ramirez, Vitor’s coach at Maize South, agrees.

“He lives and breathes for soccer. His accomplishments and many recognitions are no accident,” Ramirez said. “If anything, he deserves more.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maize South High School senior Vitor Geromel with his father, Edo, and sister Gisele, a freshman at Maize South.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maize Board of Education President Kerry Fellows and her fellow board members honored Maize South High School senior Vitor Geromel during the Aug. 14 school board meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maize South High School senior Vitor Geromel is recognized by Maize South High School Principal Becky Sailor.