Making the Cut: Colton Storm
By Evan Kravitz
Remember the name Colton Storm. Your going to hear the name of this 16-year-old ODP phenomenon rumble through the soccer world in the next few years- guaranteed. 
I caught up with Colton in late August, just as he returned back home to Mechanicsburg, Pa., after ten days of tryouts for the Under-17 National team at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida. And no sooner had Colton returned home then he was preparing to go off again to Bradenton, this time for good. Colton made the team. Out of 28 players fighting for eight open spots on a 40 man roster, Colton’s tireless efforts payed off and earned him a space on the squad (Colton is profiled in the fall edition of Touchline magazine).
“There were kids from all over the world at the camp,” said Colton. “The other guys were nice; there wasn’t a bad player down there.”
“The coaches were really cool but when it came time to practice they got down to business,” said Colton. “They didn’t correct us until the end of the day. They wanted to see if we could correct ourselves. They were expecting us to know what to do in some situations.”
According to Colton, there were five coaches along with some college coaches scouting the talent. And when it came time for final selection, the coaches decided to have some fun with Colton.
“I walked into a room and all the coaches were sitting there,” said Colton. “The coaches told me that I had gotten into some kind of trouble. I was worried. Then they said they were joking and that I had made the team. I was extremely excited. I felt I had a strong week but I was also surprised because all the other kids there were great.”
It was a Monday morning when Colton was given the good news in Florida. That very night he was back home in Mechanicsburg with barely a week to return to Bradenton to train and play for a year. The daily schedule for this sophomore will include practice from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and school from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“I’m sad to be leaving everyone, especially my parents,” said Colton. It will be different for a while. I am trying to keep my Mom calm. It will definitely be a change.”
Even though tryouts are behind him, Colton knows much of the hard work is just beginning.
“There is always something to work on,” said Colton. “I need to keep the ball in tough situations. The tryouts were the hardest tryouts I have ever been through. But now that I have it done with I must say that I was glad I kept pushing myself.”
Colton will spend his first few weeks with the team training for a possible trip to Spain, if Colton makes the roster. Next summer is the Youth World Cup.