PaperCity Magazine

December 2013 - Houston

Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/221565

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 83 of 87

WARREN IS WEARING APC JEANS, AT THE CLASSROOM. WARREN CREAVALLE, 23 FULLBACK, HOUSTON DYNAMO, MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER Brooklyn-born, Atlanta-reared Warren Creavalle is a versatile midfielder for the Houston Dynamo. He entered the sport at age four and played collegiately for both Furman University and Central Florida before being drafted by the Dynamo in the MLS draft in 2012. Soccer heroes. Growing up, I always liked Roberto Carlos [Brazilian fullback and veteran of three World Cups]. I liked the impact he made on the field as a scoring threat from the outside back position. On being a young player. It was a great feeling to join the team; it's been a lifelong goal to play soccer professionally. Many of my teammates, from veterans that have been established in the league to younger players who were in a similar position, have helped make my transition into the league a relatively smooth one. Goals. Warren Creavalle, grand-standing at BBVA Compass Stadium The team goal is obviously to make another deep run into the playoffs and ultimately win a championship. Personally, I just want to keep progressing and contributing more and more to the team. International play and the MLS. I do have aspirations for international play, whether it's with the United States, Guyana or Grenada. Football in the United States is definitely on the upswing. The popularity and interest in the sport are growing, coupled with the expansion of the MLS. It's definitely not where we want the sport to be, relative to others in the world, but we're making steady progress towards it. Something unexpected. To be honest, there's not so much that would be unexpected, though I am a bit of a night owl. While at Furman [University], my teammate Chris Klute (now of the Colorado Rapids) would go to the game field at 2 am to train. DIANA LOPEZ, 29 DIANA IS WEARING BALMAIN DRESS AND BOOTIES,, AT SLOAN/HALL. TEAM USA, TAEKWONDO World champion and Olympic bronze medalist Diana Lopez is a Houston native who attended Kempner High School in Sugar Land and is a veteran of more than 20 years of competition in taekwondo. She trains and teaches at the family academy, Lopez Taekwondo Academy, and is trained by her brother, Olympic coach Jean Lopez. Recently married to Houston Rockets strength coach Joe Rogowski, she discusses life as an Olympic athlete. Your first tournament. My first tournament was when I was seven at the Junior Olympics. When you are that young, you don't actually know what you're getting yourself into. I ended up winning with my oldest brother, Jean, in my coach's chair. On becoming an Olympian. me to bounce back and come back even stronger. Being an Olympic athlete can also be challenging financially. Unlike many other countries, Team USA athletes are not subsidized by the government. This is another sacrifice that you know you must make to be able to compete. On representing America. To become an Olympic athlete, you have to sacrifice a lot of your social life. You dedicate your mind, body and soul to this dream. You have to be a professional in every sense of the word. What you eat, how you train and how you mentally prepare plays a big part in becoming an Olympic athlete. America is the best country in the world. It has given our family (my parents emigrated from Nicaragua) the opportunity to flourish. Being on the first-place podium and seeing your flag raised above the others and hearing the national anthem playing is one of the best feelings in the world. The challenges faced by Olympic athletes. Defining moments. We see the Olympics take place every four years, but most don't see the struggles and dedication it takes to get there. I just missed making the 2004 Athens games, and it was a huge disappointment and low point in my athletic career. But having a support system made it possible for Travelling internationally to Turkey at the age of 14 for the junior worlds and coming home with a gold medal. Fitness tip. Rule number one: Don't overeat. And just try to have fun working out and trying new things that you enjoy. CHRIS MYERS, 31 CHRIS IS WEARING A SUIT AND TIE BY FESTARI. Diana Lopez, at Lopez Taekwondo Academy, Memorial CENTER, HOUSTON TEXANS, NFL Chris Myers is an all-pro center for the Houston Texans and was a member of the University of Miami national championship team in 2001. Drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2005 NFL Draft, he joined the Texans via trade in 2008. Preparing for a season. We prepare in two ways. The first is our off-season work as a team, work in the weight room, conditioning and OTAs that help build team chemistry. The second is the work we do as individuals. If you can be successful on both levels, you're in great shape for the coming season. mother and wife in the world, and she allows me focus on my job when needed. Charitable works. Now that I am married with kids, our family spends most of the offseason here in Houston. I take a few weeks away from football, but then I'm back to training at Hanks Gym in Bellaire. I work very closely with Impact Player Partners and its annual weekend in Houston, Impact a Hero. They're dedicated to recognizing and thanking the wounded veterans that have served and still serve our country. It's something that is bigger than you and I, and I really believe this is such an important group to recognize.progressing and contributing more and more to the team. On family. Greatest team accomplishment. Time away from football. Chris Myers, at Reliant Stadium We have two daughters, Makenna (3) and Cailin (2), and a son, Keane (7 months). We live in Houston most of the time and spend the summer months in South Jersey at the beach. There's a fine balance to home and work, and that's where my wife, Jenny, comes in. She's the best Winning the National Championship at the University of Miami in 2001. There's no better feeling than being the best team of any sport. The game of football is such a team sport, and to be able to come together for one purpose is the ultimate sacrifice.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of PaperCity Magazine - December 2013 - Houston