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VMS Spirit Week spotlight: Tony Ryerson

Chris Freud
Vail, CO Colorado
VMS Ryerson, Tony
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No pep talk will be needed for Vail Mountain’s Tony Ryerson in advance of today’s Spirit Week soccer game at 11 a.m. While Anthony Mitchell Ryerson III has a penchant for clutch goals, this guy was born for Spirit Week games. Now a senior, he’s scored in his three previous Spirit Week games against Salida in 2005 and Aspen the last two years. And those two against the Skiers were game-winners, not to mention his tally in overtime at Aspen last month in a 1-0 win. By the way, that was the Skiers’ Homecoming game. Today’s opponent for Spirit Week? Aspen.

For more on Ryerson, read on.

Date of birth: Oct. 28, 1990



Parents: Cindy and Tony Ryerson

Sister: Sally, 14 (VMS freshman)

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What was fun about soccer when you started? “I really just liked scoring goals when I was a little kid. It was fun to dribble through people. It was easier then than now.”

And now? “I like the whole team aspect and competitive nature of the game. You’ve got to be on it, 100 percent all the time. Otherwise, it’s not going to happen for your or your team.”

What’s it like to score a goal? “It feels really great every time, especially in a big-game situation like Aspen. It feels so good to do it in overtime (last month).”

What’s it like when the team comes running at you? “It’s kind of scary, but it great. There’s no greater feeling than to have scored a big goal and have your team mob you.”

How was it as a freshman playing on varsity? “It was pretty intimidating the first few games. It took a while to get adjusted to the speed of play and the size of other players. When you’re a freshman going against a senior, you get knocked around a little bit.”

Best moments in soccer: “I would have to say both of them were against Aspen, the road game earlier this year, and Spirit Week against Aspen my sophomore year.” (Ed. note: Both were game-winning goals.)

Most embarrassing moment: I played goal in second grade, I wasn’t quite ready for the position. Let’s just say, there were quite a few goals scored on me.”

What coach Bob Bandoni like? “He’s got a good sense of humor. He’s always trying to crack jokes even if some of them don’t go over as well as he thinks. Seriously, the guy knows a lot about soccer, but he’s more. He’s a great guy to have around the school. He’s an overall great guy.”

How much would making the playoff and wearing orange mean? “It would mean a lot, especially to the seniors. I think we have 12 or 13 seniors and it would just be incredible to continue the VMS legacy. It would also be a great comeback. We started shaky and to make it would be awesome.”

What is it about you and Spirit Week? “I don’t know. It’s just the whole atmosphere, the whole school cheering us on, having so many fans and everyone giving it their all. I don’t know how to describe it in words.”

Is soccer in your future? “Last week, I went on a college trip and the general consensus is that I won’t be able to play two sports at the same time. I’m going to be doing Nordic (skiing). I may play some intramural soccer, but my days of competitive soccer are numbered.”

How’s the Nordic team looking? “VMS Nordic’s going to be real strong. Sean (Woods), (Robert) Fitz and I finished top-five at state, and the two others in the top five have graduated.”

Favorite subject: Calculus

College plans: Applying to Middlebury, Dartmouth, Harvard, Williams and D.U.

Sports you watch: Soccer, basketball, hockey and postseason baseball.

Favorite teams: Avs, Nuggets, Rockies, Barcelona, Manchester untied and the US. Alpine and Nordic Teams

Favorite skiers: Bode Miller and Andy Newell

Other favorite athletes: Ronaldinho and Allen Iverson

Favorite TV show: “24”

Favorite movie: “Road Trip”

Favorite movie star: Tom Cruise

Favorite music groups: Rise Again, AFI and Daft Punk

Favorite book: “The Power of One”

Favorite video game: Tony Hawke Pro Skater

Favorite Web site: Wikipedia

Hobbies: Nordic skiing, soccer, telemarking, camping and, backpacking and Frisbee

Powder day, where do you go? “I put the teles on and get to Blue Sky early. Then I go off to the Nordic Center after they’ve groomed all that snow.”

Favorite food: Mexican

Favorite pizza slice: “Any kind of meat.”

Favorite color: Green

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? “Not an aspen.”

If you were ruler of the world for one day, what would you do? “I’d have a really big dinner with lots of course and have everyone cook it for me.”

Sports Editor Chris Freud can be reached at 748-2934 or cfreud@vaildaily.com.


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