Getting to Know: Nate de Varona

Nate de Varona is a junior on the Penn Boys Soccer team.

Who got you into soccer, and how long have you been playing?: My siblings got me into soccer; I’ve been playing my whole life.

What does a typical day look like in season?: A typical day looks like waking up, eating a good breakfast, going to school, going home and doing some recovery stuff, then going to practice or games.

What is the most memorable game of your Penn career, and why?: The most memorable game was Northridge with a last-second goal.

What goals do you have for your future career at Penn?: Just enjoy my time at Penn and live it up.

What challenges do you face with a life as a student-athlete?: One big challenge is finding free time to rest. I’m either at school, at work, at soccer, or doing schoolwork, so I don’t have much free time.

What helps you stay focused before rivalry games?: Something that helps me stay focused is listening to music that I like.

What keeps you motivated to show up every day?: Something that keeps me motivated is my Faith. I love the Lord and want to glorify Him in everything I do.

Who is a leader that you look up to?: A leader I look up to is my dad; he is a great father, and I hope to be even half the man he is.

How do you manage the pressure as an athlete?: I manage pressure by praying before I play, Our Fathers and Hail Marys before every game.

What advice would you have for younger soccer players looking to play for the program?: One thing for younger players is to train outside of practice; technical skill is very important.