Kent-Meridian High School soccer player Binyam Ayele is grateful for the opportunities he has had since his parents decided to move from Ethiopia to the United States in 2005.
“Back in Ethiopia the education system isn’t really the best,” the senior said. “They saw that coming to the U.S. would give me and my brother a better opportunity at life and also getting a better education. They wanted to support me and my brother.”
Ayele strives to make the most of the opportunities afforded to him. After high school graduation, he plans to attend a four-year university – Seattle Pacific and Central Washington are his top picks – and would like to become an architect.
“My parents are proud,” he said. “They want me to achieve higher than they achieved. So as long as I am achieving their goals and my expectations, also I want to give back to them.”
Living in the U.S. has allowed Ayele to follow his passion for soccer.
“To be in America, playing the sport I love, is a great feeling,” he said. “I know that back home not everybody gets this opportunity.”
From street soccer to high school
Ayele played street soccer in Africa. He played on the C-team his freshman year at Kent-Meridian and played junior varsity his sophomore year before making the varsity squad as a junior.
“When I first started off, I was playing in a midfield position,” he said. “When I moved over to varsity, I started playing a more defensive role – center back or right back.”
Ayele has adjusted to playing defense.
“I used to prefer playing midfield, but now I just like playing defense because I like to get my body in there and get physical,” he said.
A team player, Ayele is willing to play where he is needed.
“He always wants to be a midfielder but I’m like ‘No, we need you in the defense,'” coach Brian Gabert said. “So he has always kind of been a reluctant defender but he will do whatever I want as a coach.”
Always looking to improve, Ayele is easy to coach.
“He is one of those guys that will say ‘What can I do better? What can I do to get better?'” Gabert said. “He’s always got that attitude of understanding our relationship. He’s a player. I’m a coach, and he is asking what he can do to help his teammates out.”
Likes brotherhood of the Royals
The team aspect of soccer appeals to Ayele.
“It is not decided upon by individuals,” Ayele said. “I like the collectiveness of the sport. You get the feeling of being in a family. At the end of the day it is not about one person. It is about coming home with the win as a team.”
Ayele described his team as a tight-knit brotherhood.
“We have a great time with each other and you can tell by practices and our warm-up before the games,” he said. “It’s a good vibe around here.”
A team captain, Ayele, hopes the team finishes the season strong. The Royals have won just three games this year.
“We didn’t start out the best throughout the season,” Ayele said. “We did get better, so I just want to finish off and maybe get a couple more wins.”
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