Lower Merion’s Sam Nyenka is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week (Oct. 10-16)
A senior midfielder/forward, Sam Nyenka has supplied some key offense for the Lower Merion boys soccer team (ranked No. 1 in PIAA District 1 4A as of Oct. 10) this fall. He tallied the game-winning goal in a recent 1-0 win against Garnet Valley and tallied two goals and several assists in a win against Harriton. After playing soccer for Lower Merion as a freshman and a sophomore, he played for the FC Delco MLS NEXT soccer program as a junior, then returned to Lower Merion to play soccer this fall. Next fall, he will play soccer for the University of West Virginia.
Q: Why did you play for FC Delco MLS NEXT as a junior, and what brought you back to playing for Lower Merion as a senior?
A: I just wanted the chance to play for FC Delco MLS NEXT through the year after the coach asked me to join, it was also a good way to get scouted more for college and play at the highest youth level. I came back to Lower Merion this year because I wanted to win a state championship my senior year.
Q: What was your most memorable experience as an FC Delco MLS NEXT soccer player?
A: My most memorable moment was scoring in the round of 16 of the MLS next playoffs to help my team get to the quarterfinals. It was very memorable because there were hundreds of people there and the atmosphere was great.
Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game have you worked on the most recently?
A: I would say I have a few strong points like finishing, strength, and speed. I’ve mostly been working on finishing off crosses because that’s how the University of West Virginia men’s soccer team plays, and how the Lower Merion team plays.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in soccer. What was the most important things you learned from your soccer mentors?
A: I got into soccer because I was pretty much raised around it with most my family playing. The most important thing I learned was sometimes you may have to make sacrifices for your own potential.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: I would say I take my pregame very seriously. I try to get locked in hours before the game listening to music.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 11 for Lower Merion – is there a reason you chose that number?
A: I like the way No. 11 looks, and because when I was younger, players that I looked up to a lot, like Didier Drogba and Neymar, wore the number and other good players wear it.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Lower Merion? What do you plan to major in at the University of West Virginia?
A: I am enjoying my U.S. government course at Lower Merion, but at West Virginia I am looking to major in business.
Fun facts – Sam Nyenka
Favorite book: The Blind Side.
Favorite author: J.K Rowling.
Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights.
Favorite movie: Rocky.
Favorite athlete: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Viva La Vida.
Favorite team: Manchester City.
Favorite place to visit: Georgia.
Favorite pre-game meal: Pasta.
Person I most admire: “My mom.”
Your family members: Parents Abu and Pam, sister Grace, brothers George and Fred.
To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.
