Cookeville Soccer Player Earns Spot on Olympic Development Program Team

Cookeville student Alberto Medrano selected for regional soccer Olympic Development Program after five years with All In Futbol Club.

Club Coach Davis Draper said Medrano showed promise early on, demonstrating hard work, intelligence, and diligence. Draper said Medrano had reached a level that most players never reach.

But when asked about this great accomplishment, Medrano said he is very grateful to his coaches and the club for allowing him to learn and grow as a player.

“I like to stay humble,” Medrano said. “I don’t like to you know, be like oh I made this team, I’m the stuff, you know. I like to stay humble because Davis has always told me to stay humble. But I’m very excited and I’m very happy.”

Draper said when Medrano initially asked to play, he had never touched a soccer ball. Medrano started the game at age 11, about six years later than most players.

Despite his late start, Draper said Medrano is the first player from the Upper Cumberland to make it to the Olympic development team. He said competitive soccer has been in the Upper Cumberland for almost 30 years without producing a player at that level.

Draper said Medrano’s success is simply a testament to his abilities and work ethic.

“It’s a big deal,” Draper said. “He continues to grow and develop as a player. And it’s happening right here in Cookeville.”

Draper said most kids who play at this level end up in Division 1 soccer in college, and Medrano had already been at trials for the Nashville Soccer Club. But Draper said they needed time to find out where Medrano’s ceiling was.

“We know he has a high ceiling,” Draper said. “It’s interesting. We’ll watch him as he continues to grow.”