Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Jasmine Ruiz

Earning a Division 1 scholarship in any sport or activity is incredibly challenging, and requires not just physical ability, but also the type of commitment and ferocious competitiveness that helps distinguish one from their peers. Senior soccer player Jasmine Ruiz embodies these characteristics and more, which is why she is this week’s Oswego East student athlete of the week.

Having played competitive soccer all her life, Jasmine’s physical skills and mental composition have helped her earn a scholarship to Villanova University. While some senior soccer players will skip the high school season to play exclusively with their club team, Jasmine decided to do both and play with her club and school. First year head coach, Juan Leal, could not be happier with what she brings to the table, “Jasmine is determined, hard-working, and passionate about the game,” says Leal. As of last week, Jasmine has helped lead her team to a 7-4 overall record and an undefeated start in conference at 3-0. Individually, Jasmine has scored 9 goals and 3 assists, and is tasked with the responsibility of playing mid-field, which requires her to be as good on defense as she is on offense.

Not only does Jasmine bring a physical presence that is difficult to for opponets to counter, but she also brings much needed leadership to the young players. “Jasmine gets along with all of her teammates and makes an effort to get to know the younger girls,” says Leal. He goes on to add, “[Jasmine] has brought the freshmen under her wing and has set a great example of what type of attitude and work ethic it takes to succeed at this level and prepare for the next.”

Jasmine’s leadership approach is something she takes great pride in as a captain. “I want to continue to improve and provide a good example for my teammates,” says Jasmine. Not only do the younger players have a veteran to lean on for advice, but they bear witness to her abilities and how she attacks the game both in practice and in games. “[Jasmine] has the technical skills as well as the field intelligence to read how the plays are building, as well as having an extraordinarily powerful shot,” says Leal. He adds, “She challenges others one on one, and is not afraid of anyone.”

That fierce competitiveness and drive is something her father, Javier Ruiz, has always seen in Jasmine. While playing soccer has helped land Jasmine in a great spot athletically, Javier has also seen her grow into a well-rounded young adult who prioritizes the needs of others above her own. “Ever since she was little, she loved soccer, helping others, sharing her compassion, knowledge and generosity with others,” says Javier. Javier has also seen the positive effect Oswego East has had on Jasmine in the past four years, saying, “[Jasmine] has matured by always thinking twice before she takes an action, and has learned to value things and people, as well as help others and be responsible.”

Villanova University’s standards are very high for academics, which means that Jasmine has not earned her scholarship based solely on her play, but on her academic excellence in the classroom as well. Jasmine has earned a 3.3 G.P.A., while enrolling in challenging courses such as advanced placement (AP) European History, Pre-Calculus, Forensics, AP U.S. History, AP Calculus AB, AP Physics, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP Biology.

Jasmine intends on studying medicine at Villanova University. Heather Thomas, Jasmine’s AP Biology teacher, has seen all the characteristics that make Jasmine successful on the field translate to the classroom. “Jasmine’s strength is her time management skills, as she has more to juggle than many peers her age and does so with great ease,” says Heather. As far as her future career, Heather notes, “[Jasmine] is a fierce competitor, so if becoming a physician is what she aspires to be, it is definitely something she has the work ethic to achieve. She is a great young lady who is definitely meant for success.”

While the Wolves enter the thick of their conference season, Jasmine hopes she can help lead the charge to a possible conference championship and deep run in the playoffs. While the temptation to look ahead can be great for someone who has so much on the horizon, Coach Leal and Jasmine’s teammates have all the confidence in the world she can maintain her high level of play, and help bring along her young teammates for a late season push. For future Wolves, Jasmine advises them, “get involved, and continue to work hard in everything you do.” Jasmine’s hard work has paid off individually, and the Wolves are hoping her leadership and continued dominance will help elevate the program to one of the top in the state.