Switching positions

For Out-of-Door Academy senior shortstop Jimmy Kuebler, his primary sports focus had always been baseball.

But something changed his senior year.

“My plan was to just prepare for the upcoming baseball season, but my friends convinced me otherwise,” Kuebler said.

A soccer player in his younger years, Kuebler hadn't played competitively since middle school. But he wanted to compete with his peers and help the team any way he could.

“I can't stay away from the field,” he said. “I wanted to have a good time and be active.”

ODA coach George Leicht said he'd tried to get Kuebler to join the team in years past and did everything he could to get the talented athlete on the squad in his final year of high school.

“I've heard all sorts of stories,” Leicht said. “I knew from baseball that he's an outstanding athlete and a natural leader. I tried to do everything I could to get him on the team earlier on. I knew he'd be an asset.”

So, with the help of other seniors on the team, Leicht pitched the idea to Kuebler and Kuebler finally decided it'd be a great fit for his final year of high school.

Though the transition from baseball to soccer was a difficult one, Kuebler wasted no time getting reacclimated to the soccer field and his new teammates.

“When he came onto the team, the rest of the boys on the team looked to him for leadership,” Leicht said. “No matter what sport it is, he's a natural leader.”

Along with leadership, Kuebler brought another asset to the team — speed.

“I've had a lot of strikers, but nobody as fast as him,” Leicht said. “It's unbelievable how fast he is.”
Logically, his coach thought it would be an adjustment for him the first few games.

But in ODA's first game of the season, Kuebler exploded for four goals and an assist in an 8-0 Thunder victory over Bradenton Christian.

“It was unexpected from my point of view,” Kuebler said. “I wasn't expecting to score four goals in the first game.”

Another aspect of Kuebler's game was his mental toughness and motivation.

“I don't think anybody else on the team could lead the team as he did,” Leicht said.

During a Jan. 6 game against Sarasota Christian, ODA found itself down 3-0 at halftime and was searching for answers.

With the leadership of Kuebler and the other seniors, the Thunder was able to regroup in the second half and come back for a tie.

“He really was a motivator out there,” Leicht said.

Kuebler said that comeback is his favorite memory of the season.

“It was a crazy game and probably the best soccer experience of my life,” he said.

Kuebler transcended the normal expectations of a first-year varsity player, both on the field and as a team captain.

“It was definitely an honor to lead the team as a senior, especially in my first year,” he said. “I'm glad I got to play with these guys this year.”

ODA lost a tough district game against Sarasota Christian Jan. 21. With soccer games now over, baseball practice begins this week.

Kuebler now has baseball —and his future — on his mind.

He has high expectations for the baseball team this year and said he's still looking at colleges to continue playing baseball at the collegiate level.

Kuebler said he hopes to one day lead a college baseball team to a national championship.

“Whatever he does in the future, I know he's going to be great,” Leicht said.