Senior Spotlight: Nicholson Helping Trevians Find Their Identity
Senior winger says effort and brotherhood are critical in what he brings to New Trier.
Photo Credit: Joel Babbitt
New Trier senior winger Aidan Nicholson is in the thick of another successful Trevians soccer season. The Trevians, sitting at 17-1-5, have won their 2 playoff games vs. Von Stueben (5-0), Glenbrook North (2-1 in regional title game win) and Niles North (4-1 in sectional semis).
The Trevians are slated to play Lane Tech at Glenbrook South on Friday in a sectional title game.
CSLV: First, what has this most recent run in the postseason been like for you and your teammates?
AN: “For me, these last couple of weeks have been some of the most fun I’ve ever had playing soccer before. I’ve been finding so much joy in going to practice, watching film, and just being around the team that it has been hard to focus on anything else. I think I can speak for the team when I say that overall everyone is just having a blast. Even through all the cold, rainy nights, and early morning practices everyone has always had one another's backs and are just totally energized by having the team around us. I’ve never seen 24 guys be more locked in to earn more and more time with each other. It's really awesome to watch.”
CSLV: Where/when did you guys start to hit your stride this season?
AN: “I feel like our whole season has been building to this point of “hitting our stride”. Our goal throughout the season has been to get 1% better every day at practice so we can be as close to our full potential as we can come playoff time. I believe that our turning point came after our tie to Glenbrook North. We had time to reflect on who we wanted to be as a team and challenged each other at practice to realize our team identity.”
CSLV: What do you feel you’ve contributed to this year’s team, in terms of skill, character and identity?
AN: “For me there are two main components to what I feel like I've brought to this year’s team. Effort is number one, it’s very important to me that I always come prepared to a game or a practice. I want to make sure that I leave everything I have on the field for my teammates and coaches. The second one is brotherhood. I love my teammates and I do my best to make sure that they know I am always their number one fan and supporting them in whatever they do.”
CSLV: Any favorite moments from this year so far? Either on the field or off with teammates?
AN: “There have been a couple so far. A top highlight on the field was definitely beating Evanston and regaining the hydrant which has been passed between the program for over fifty years. Some off-the-field highlights include getting food with my teammates after our last day of tryouts, celebrating our regional championship win in the locker room, and any of the carb fests that we’ve had throughout the year.”
CSLV: How long have you played soccer?
AN: “I have been playing soccer since I was 6.”
CSLV: Who is your favorite soccer player?
AN: “As a kid I always really liked watching Neymar play so would be my favorite.”
CSLV: What’s your favorite pregame song or a song that gets you hype?
AN: “Before my games I don’t listen to music that necessarily gets me “hyped”, rather songs that can make me happy/calm and let me get into the right head space, a couple of my favorites are “my. life” by J Cole, Remember When by the Wallows, Butterfly Effect by Travis Scott and Bayside by Obeskür.”
CSLV: Who is your favorite soccer player and favorite athlete?
AN: “My favorite Athlete is Mike Trout.”
CSLV: Do you play other sports competitively? (Or for fun)
AN: “I also play Varsity Baseball for New Trier.”
CSLV: Do you hope to play college soccer and or pursue the game further as a player or coach?
AN: “I’ve made the decision that college soccer isn’t for me but I’m very excited at the idea of playing club or intramural soccer in college and then maybe work my way into Sunday leagues as I grow older.”