‘Busy’ Bailey will play soccer at Luther College next year
Published 7:15 pm Monday, April 16, 2018
- Austin’s Sam Bailey battles through a pair of Lourdes defenders Tuesday in the Section 1A title game this past season. Herald File Photo
Austin senior Sam Bailey has had quite the senior year. This past fall, Bailey was a midfielder for the most successful soccer team in Austin High School history, over the winter he played volleyball and table tennis, and now he’s running for the Packer track and field team.
Bailey has stayed busy this year and he plans on staying busy next year as he has made his commitment to play soccer at Division III Luther College in Decorah, Iowa next season.
Luther caught Bailey’s attention when he attended a soccer camp at the school in the summer before his sophomore year and he’s always had a strong desire to play at the next level.
“It had always been my dream as a kid to play collegiate soccer,” Bailey said. “Coach [Jens] Levisen has always liked Luther and I’ve always followed them. They have really good soccer and they’ve had really good teams. It’s a good college to go to for soccer.”
Bailey had a spectacular season for the Packers, who went 18-1-3 overall, as they won their first Big Nine title in school history and they finished in third place at the Minnesota Class A State Tournament. The Norse also have a strong soccer tradition as they went 11-4-5 overall this past fall.
Bailey is excited to make the push towards bettering himself to play at the next level next season.
“It’s going to be a big jump for me,” Bailey said. “There’s going to be a lot of guys who are bigger, faster and stronger. I’ve been doing track and I’m trying to stay healthy and stay fit while building some strength and some speed.”
While soccer has kept him very active over the years, Bailey has also enjoyed his time participating in other sports on the side. He said they’ve helped him stay competitive and kept him busy.
“I just love being involved,” Bailey said. “I used to play volleyball with my mom and I always liked it. When my friends asked me to play, I said ‘sure’ and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. My cousins have a ping pong table so I grew up playing. When I had the chance to play on the team I joined to do something to stay busy.”
Austin grad Matias Parada played in six games for Luther last season and he’s expected to be on the squad again next season.