Fossil Ridge soccer player Peyton Hoyt focusing on his goals
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Ever since he could walk, Peyton Hoyt has been playing soccer. He grew up with older siblings who played as well, and as a result there was always a soccer ball lying somewhere around the house he could kick around. Keep that up for most of your life, and chances are you get pretty good.
Peyton is now seventeen and a senior at Fossil Ridge High School. He’s been playing club soccer for thirteen years and has participated in all four years with Fossil Ridge. When he first started out, he played above his age level on a club team called Storm, and shortly after made the move to Arsenal. He again played with the older level for a year before dropping down to his own age group. He’s been a member of Arsenal’s top team ever since and currently plays for 03/04 Arsenal Colorado ECNL.
His high school career saw quick advancements: beginning on the C-team his freshman year, he jumped straight to Varsity as a practice player during his sophomore year. From there, he played Varsity full time for his junior and senior years. As he prepares for his high school graduation, Peyton intends to continue playing soccer in college. He does already have some offers from D2 schools, but at the moment, he’s thinking of looking at high-end academic D3 schools. The important thing is finding the right fit.
In the meantime, Peyton’s more immediate goal is to help his club team return to the national playoff. They made it last year, and to get back, they’ll have to play hard and win the mountain conference which includes teams from Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. Peyton certainly has the right mindset to make this a reality. He believes a well connected team is essential for a winning formula. He was once given advice to focus on his own responsibilities, and trust that his teammates will take care of their own, leading to a tight-knit team full of mutual trust and respect.
This connection with his fellow athletes is one of his most cherished aspects of the sport. Along his high school journey, Peyton has gone from an underclassman learning from his elders and forming those bonds to now being the upperclassman and taking on the role of a leader, passing on what he’s learned to the new freshmen and sophomores. Building these connections and trust results in the team working toward a common goal, and that teamwork is palpable when they’re playing on the field.
A couple other nuggets of wisdom from Peyton: mistakes are an unavoidable part of sports, and they’re how you become a better player. Have a short memory; learn from it and move on. Additionally, Peyton says the best piece of advice he’s received is from his dad, which is that the only two things you can control are your attitude and effort. “If I give it all I have with a good attitude, more often than not things are going to turn out the way I want them to.”
On a more individual level, Peyton has a couple pregame rituals he likes to follow. As gametime approaches, as well during halftime and other stoppages, he sticks with just one food: peanut butter crackers. Also, as he steps onto the field for the first time each game, he touches the ground, makes the Sign of the Cross, and prays. When he’s not in school or on the pitch, you’ll most likely find Peyton doing something outside. He loves fishing – from a boat, at a pond, or ice fishing, it doesn’t matter to him – and spending time in the mountains either mountain biking or snowboarding. Best wishes to Peyton on his club team and into his college years!
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