Rolando Oropeza’s path to the captaincy of the Tolleson boys soccer team was anything but ordinary. In fact, it was almost destined to happen.

Oropeza, a senior on the Wolverines soccer team, is following in his brothers’ footsteps, by becoming a captain. His two older brothers were captains when they played on the Wolverines soccer team in previous years.

For coach Benjamin Andronic the captaincy is not just a ceremonial position, but it depends on the team needs.

“It depends year by year,” Andronic said. “One thing about high school is that we don’t know who is going to come out.”

When Andronic looked at this year’s team, he saw a familiar name in Oropeza, but this time Rolando was the first name. After narrowly missing out on the captaincy last year, Andronic knew Rolando would be a perfect fit to lead the squad this year.

“Rolando’s name jumped out for being captain,” Andronic said. “Last year he missed out on being captain, but he was definitely one of the top candidates, but we decided to go with all-senior led captains.”

Last year proved pretty well for the Wolverines who fell narrowly in the Class 6A championship to Gilbert after a late goal. Oropeza was a crucial part of that squad, solidifying the backline for the Wolverines, but with the outcome of the game, it would give Oropeza motivation.

“None of us put the blame on Rolando, but he had a little slip or missed the ball, which led to the goal,” Andronic said. “I know that little mistake has definitely fueled him, at the end of last year. Who would I pick for captain? Rolando definitely stood out.”

After last year, Oropeza was already widely respected on the team with the young guys looking to him for advice and leadership. So when preseason came around, and the team was needing leadership, it wasn’t even a consideration for the coaching staff.

“People started looking up to him,” Andronic said. “He was a true leader during the preseason, he led by example. … He’s a true leader.”

Who is Rolando Oropeza?

The star defender for the Wolverines was not always bolstering the backline. Transferring to Tolleson in his sophomore year, Oropeza was already behind in his mind. He had to put everything into just catching up with his teammates.

“I feel like I had to repeat what my brothers did, and being named captain means I did a good job,” Oropeza said.

While working hard on the J.V. team sophomore year, he would be thrown into the fire when his team needed him the most, playoffs. After a rash of injuries to the backline, Oropeza found himself on the first team. He would take this opportunity and not look back.

“He was a main piece of us winning our first playoff game in three years,” Andronic said.

Oropeza wasn’t panicking, though. He was surprised, but he took it all in stride. He felt like his work was finally rewarded. Since taking over the Center-back position, he hasn’t relented his spot in the starting 11.

“Getting him playing at the J.V. level and accustomed to our playing style, really helped him,” Andronic said. “Once we forced him into the varsity lineup, he didn’t look back. It’s been his position since.”

Club Life

A vital tool for developing any player’s athletic ability is the athlete’s club team. The club is a great asset to stay in shape during the off-season, but for Oropeza, it means winning tournaments and competing at the highest level.

“We see the difference that club is making,” assistant coach Rodrigo Lopez said.

Playing for the fifth best club in the state of Arizona, “Excel Soccer Academy 99” offers the best tools for Oropeza to succeed. Those devices include coaching development that isn’t necessarily found in high school athletics. For Oropeza, the key to his soccer future will revolve around his success when the school season is over.

Accountability

Oropeza does not just make sure he is held accountable but instead goes out of his way to help anyone who needs it. His closest friend, Angel Del Los Rios, was in need of help earlier this year, and Rolando was there to help.

“I had a bad grade,” Del Los Rios said. “He was always pushing me to do my work to make sure I can play.”

For Del Los Rios, his friend is one of the most caring individuals around. He never takes a day off, always dedicated to himself and his friends. When he learned that Oropeza was named a captain, it didn’t even faze Del Los Rios.

“He’s been a captain in my head, shows leadership, always committed, and always doing the right thing, which is what we look up to,” Del Los Rios said.

For everyone around this team, it is evident that Oropeza is a special player that may only come every couple years. Combining his award-winning athletic ability, and his personality that defines him, his legacy will be one to be remembered, according to Del Los Rios.

“Yea, to be honest, he is one of the best defenders I have ever seen play,” Del Los Rios said.

Student First, Athlete Second

“Looking at my future, all my coaches were telling me school first and being a student first,” Oropeza said. “I put all my attention to school, and soccer will come.”

For a young man to recognize the importance of school even with his talented, athletic skills just show the type of man Oropeza is.

“School is going to play a big role in my future when I go to college, so I put education first,” Oropeza said.

With high aspirations for himself, he wants to play at the next level. It’s been his dream since he was young, although he conceded that he would take the best offer for him and his future.

 Something that is sometimes forgotten with athletes this generation is going to help him go far in life. For Andronic, he knows everything that is crucial to life success.

“Honestly, he can do whatever he wants,” Andronic said. “He has the potential to do that.”

 After a little more consideration, his coach had extremely high praise for Oropeza.

“He can’t go wrong. … Whatever he does he will excel in,” Andronic said.