Two athletes from Thomson are heading north to play semi-professional soccer in Pennsylvania.
Triston Gay and Zenia Nava signed to play soccer for Torch Sports Ministry in Perkasie, Penn.
According to Gay, he tried out for the team because he was looking for somewhere to play soccer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there wasn’t a season last year. Gay said the season roughly lasts about two months, and if they make the playoffs it’ll go for another month.
According to Gay, he’s excited to play semi-professional soccer.
“I’m excited to get better,” Gay said. “I’m just spreading the word of God.”
Gay said that he eventually wants to play in Europe, but he wants to work his way up to that.
“If I get offered to play overseas, I’ll take it,” Gay said.
Before he started on this journey, Gay was a graduate of Thomson High School in 2018. Gay went to Rhinehart University from 2018-2019. Now, Gay attends Georgia Military College, and he is a double major in kinesiology and business. According to Gay, he was nationally ranked as a goalkeeper in 2018. Gay said that once his playing days are over, or if soccer doesn’t work out, he has plans on what he wants to do.
“I want to build my own soccer academy, and build it up across the United States,” Gay said.
According to Gay, he has an idea of what he wants for his academy.
“I want them to get closer to Christ and to make them the best possible player,” Gay said.
Zenia Nava is also going up north to play for the Torch Sports Ministry.
“This is my second year,” Nava said. “I’m excited to get back and improve my game.”
Nava said that she is hoping playing for Torch will open up other doors for the future. Previously to playing semi-professional soccer, Nava graduated from Augusta Prep in 2019, then attended Bellarmine University and was majoring in math, with a minor in sports management.
“I like numbers and I like coaching,” Nava said.
Nava said she was excited about this next chapter because she likes being challenged.
“I like being challenged and I want to win titles,” Nava said.
According to Nava, she believes this year’s team has a good chance to win. Nava said she is originally from Mexico, and the goal is to eventually turn this into a professional career, and maybe even go back home and play in Mexico.
“I’d love to go home and represent Mexico,” Nava said.
Nava said she likes what Torch stands for.
“We’re trying to spread Jesus Christ and that’s what I like about Torch.”
