7th grader earns spot on U.S. Youth Soccer top regional squad

By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

University School of Nashville student-athlete Sam Wolf ’31 has been selected to the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program South Region Interregional Squad as a goalkeeper, an impressive achievement that places him among the nation’s top young players in his age group.

Sam is one of only two goalkeepers chosen for the 18-player South Region Interregional team in the 2013 Older Boys age group. Nationwide, just 64 players are invited to compete at this level each year, underscoring the selectivity and prestige of the honor.

“I’m grateful for the invite, and I’m honored to represent our school, my club, our state, and the South region,” Sam said. “I will be working my hardest to get to the next level and look forward to this exciting opportunity.”

The ODP Interregional Squad represents one of the highest competitive and identification levels within U.S. Soccer’s player development pathway. Selection follows a rigorous, multi-stage process that begins at the state level, advances through regional evaluation, and culminates in competition against elite peers from across the country. Players are evaluated on technical skill, tactical understanding, physical performance, competitive mentality, and coachability in high-level training and match environments.