Haverford High’s Duncan Riegler is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week

The senior center back is noted for his leadership, his ability to win balls in the air, and his fearless attacking style. Last fall, Riegler was a key cog for the Fords (9-6-3 overall, 6-4-1 Central League) and his standout play earned him first team honors for All-Central League, All-Main Line and All-Delco boys’ soccer.

 

Q: Have you always played center back? Who have been your biggest soccer mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each one?

 

A: My real position is a center-defensive midfielder for my club team, although I get put into center back if there is a really strong opposing striker. I prefer center back because I have a lot more time to be directional in terms of how I communicate, whereas in the midfield, I find that you have to be very concise. From watching classic games like mid 2010’s Barcelona and Real Madrid play exceptional passing football, I fell in love with Iniesta for his incredible vision and Ramos for the pride he has in captaining a side like Real Madrid.

 

Q: How do you see your role as a team leader – on the field as a center back, and off the field in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?

A: Given the position I play and having been with the team the longest, I feel good about directing traffic from our back line. Others listen to me very nicely and that makes for a good result in play. 

 

Q: Tell us a little about your soccer training since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. What have you found to be the biggest challenge to your training during the pandemic, and how did you handle that?

 

A: Once everything shut down, I picked up a personal trainer for about 3-4 months and I practiced every other day for that period, while running and working on agility on my own.

 

 

Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

 

A: The strongest aspect of my game is either winning balls in the air or communication. Currently, I’m working on short speed and agility.

 

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

 

A: Usually, I watch soccer videos or play FIFA and try to recreate certain plays or moves I see in the game. Also, I drink water at all times because it really is the best way for your legs to be able to finish a long game.

 

Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 4 – why did you pick this number, was there a particular reason?

 

A: No. 4 is very fitting as center back. I do prefer No. 16, but haven’t had that opportunity in a long time.

 

Q: What is your favorite course at Haverford High? What do you think you might want to major in at college?

 

A: My favorite course at Haverford is AP Environmental Science. I’d like to major in some sort of biological or chemical science field.

 

Fun facts – Duncan Riegler

Favorite book: Middle School: the Worst Years of my Life, by James Patterson.

Favorite author: Jeff Kinney.

Favorite TV show: Trailer Park Boys.

Favorite movie: The Big Lebowski.

Favorite athlete: Eden Hazard.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Hit ’Em Up, by Tupac.

Favorite team: Chelsea FC.

Favorite place to visit: AJK shop (rest in peace).

Favorite pre-game meal: Cereal.

Person I most admire, and why: “I most admire my dad for his incredibly unorthodox, yet dogged, work mindset.”

 

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)