ROCKINGHAM — Senior soccer and football player Alex Medina has been named the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
The Richmond Observer will spotlight one male and one female student-athlete from Richmond Senior High School each week based on his and her respective performance to help their team.
A three-year varsity soccer player, Medina had his best game of the season last week against rival Scotland High School. He’s also in his first season as the placekicker for the football team, which won its game at Hoke County High School.
This is Medina’s first career recognition as the Official Richmond County Male Athlete of the Week.
Athletic Profile
Age: 17
Birthday: Aug. 22, 2004
Year: Senior
Fall Sports: Soccer/Football
Positions: Center Midfielder/Kicker
Years on Varsity: 3 years/1 year
Height & Weight: 5-9, 145 pounds
Experience: 13 years (soccer)
KICKING IT WITH ALEX MEDINA
The Richmond boys’ soccer team has had its ups and downs this season adjusting to the newly realigned 3A/4A Sandhills Athletic Conference. But one constant for the Raiders has been taking care of business against its rival Scotland High School.
Last Monday, the Raiders tied their season-high in goals and defeated the Fighting Scots 6-1 to close out the first round of conference play. Using six different players to find the back of the net, Medina was one of them. He also added a season-high three assists in the victory.
Medina’s first assist came on the first goal of the game off a corner kick, which he sent into the box and was headed into the net by senior teammate Han Jalbasuren. In the 29th minute, Medina put the Raiders up 2-0 with a shot from 15 yards that hit the net just under the crossbar.
On goals scored by Luke Williams and James Eason, Medina was the one who threaded the pass leading to the scores.
In his first season as the football team’s kicker, Medina connected on five of his seven extra point attempts in Richmond’s 47-14 win over Hoke County (one was blocked). Through six games this season, he’s 21-for-24 on PATs, which also saw him go 8-for-8 in the season opener at Mount Tabor.
Alex Medina dribbles the ball up field during Richmond’s win over Scotland last Monday. (Kyle Pillar/The Richmond Observer)
RAPID RESPONSES WITH ALEX MEDINA
ROSports: What led to your big night against Scotland last week and how did that help boost the team’s morale?
Medina: “We had been having a few rough nights and we knew Scotland was a game we could win, especially in a rivalry game. I went in thinking I had to play 120% and really try to help the team out as much as I could.
“I definitely look for certain teammates in certain situations so I know who I’m passing the ball to. It was an important win and a statement that we can play if we want to. It was a momentum booster moving forward.”
ROSports: Describe some of the defining characteristics it takes to be a leader, and how do you implement that as a senior on the soccer team?
Medina: “I think leadership comes with experience, and considering I’ve played soccer for 13 years, I try to pass it on to the fellas who are younger than me and to other teammates.
“I think of myself as a vocal leader. I want the guys to be successful, so I try to give directions and help everyone during games.”
ROSports: You’ve had to learn the new position as placekicker on the football team. What’s that been like and how have you been so successful?
Medina: “The biggest thing is having to kick the ball differently. I have to focus more on turning my foot and knowing where I need to plant my other foot. Kicking also has to be a lot more consistent with football. It’s been fun, and it’s definitely a different environment with thousands of fans watching.
“There’s a lot of pressure. On my first PAT at Mt. Tabor, my hands were shaking. After that, it’s been pretty good now that I’m settled in.”
ROSports: If you were the GM of a new soccer team, what league would it be in and who would be the one or two core players you’d choose to start and why?
Medina: “I’d want the team to be in the English Premier League. The first guy I would pick is N’golo Kante because I base my playing style off of him. He’s got an engine and doesn’t stop running, and plays both ways all the time.
“I’d also take Cristiano Ronaldo since he’s got that killer mentality. He’s 36 and playing in one of the hardest leagues in the world, still dominating. And that’s what I’d want on my team.”
ROSports: What has been your best memory as a student-athlete at Richmond over the last four years?
Medina: “Scoring my PK goal against Jack Britt during my sophomore year. That set the momentum for the shootout and we ended up winning. I went to the side net on the right side.
“At the time, Larsen was asking if anyone wanted to take it, and as the only sophomore on varsity, I just thought ‘why not take it.’ Plus one of my friends plays for Jack Britt and it was good to beat him in a big game.”
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Athletes of the Week next week.
