NEW BERLIN, Wis. — New Berlin West head soccer coach Stojan Jovic sums up Carl Spitz with one word.
What You Need To Know
- New Berlin West senior Carl Spitz has pulled double duty, joining both the soccer and football teams
- After an injury shortened both seasons for Spitz, he still found ways to help his team members
- He hopes to participate in tennis in the spring
- Spitz anticipates attending UW-Madison next year and will likely pursue a career in business or law
“Dedicated,” said Jovic. “He’s dedicated not only to himself and his craft, but he’s dedicated to his teammates, and he’s a dedicated leader for them.”
Soccer is his favorite sport, but as a senior, Spitz pulled double duty for the Vikings and joined the football team as a kicker.
“It was difficult at first. A lot of practice, a lot of wear and tear on your body, but I enjoyed it,” said Spitz.
Unfortunately, a nagging turf toe injury shortened both seasons for Spitz. But as soccer team captain, he still found ways to help his team from the sidelines.
“It was frustrating, but at the same time, I knew I had a role to play, even if it wasn’t on the field,” explained Spitz. “I was helping coach with practices, eying up our competition, seeing what I could do. I still tried to play an active role on the team.”
Spitz earned 2nd-team all-conference recognition as a junior. Jovic missed having his leading scorer on the field during the injury but saw Spitz step up in other ways.
“He still showed up to the practices. He still showed up to the games,” said Jovic. “He was encouraging the guys, especially when times would get tough. He was up there talking alongside me.”
Spitz did return at the end of the year and scored a goal in his first game back.
He doesn’t play winter sports, but as a sophomore, Spitz played tennis. After his injury-plagued fall, he wants to return to the tennis team in spring and play one more high school sports season.
“I have a couple of guys on the soccer team that also play tennis, so it will be great to have another season with them,” said Spitz.
Athletic and Activities Director Cody Smith watched Spitz on the field and had him as an AP biology student. He called Spitz mature and level-headed.
“He’s not the most vocal of leaders. He’s not going to be that person, but he’s one of those who just shows you the right way to do it,” explained Smith. “I think a lot of his peers respond to that. I’ve seen it with his classmates in the classroom, the way he carries himself, they all kind of follow along.”
He’s a member of the National Honor Society and the French National Honor Society. Teacher Leah Rogneby chaperoned Spitz and other students on a 10-day trip to France and called him a wonderful human.
“He’s very curious. He always wants to know why it’s like this and why it’s not like that? Can I try it like that? Can I do it this way? He’s very curious and always wants to push himself,” said Rogneby.
He also pushes himself in the community. Spitz volunteers with his church, works on food drives and organizes blood donations.
“It’s refreshing to see someone that just generally cares, not just about what happens but how it happens,” said Smith.
He expects official word in January, but Spitz anticipates attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison next year and will likely pursue a career in business or law.
“I know that he’s going to have a fantastic future. He’s just going to have such a positive, successful life no matter what route he ends up taking,” said Rogneby.
After bouncing back from an early disappointment this fall, Spitz will look to take on new challenges in the future.
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