Injured soccer player will be spectator on Brazil trip
Scott Hartenstein will now be a spectator instead of a participator in what was to be an experience of a lifetime for the talented soccer player.
Scott, who had participated in last summer's Clemson Soccer Academy, was chosen to go on a 10-day trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil, because of his athletic talent. Several weeks ago, he was injured on the field
He had hoped it would heal enough for him to go on the May 13-22 trip. An MRI, however, revealed that he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, forcing him to cancel his on-the-field participation. The ligament, in the center of the knee, connects the leg to the thigh.
"Brazil is where the best players come from, usually," Scott said.
Scott, one of a select group of young men from more than 20 states chosen to go to Brazil, was to train and practice with professional players and compete in tournaments with Brazilian teams. Now that his injury has sidelined his participation, he will simply watch from afar.
Each year, a group of youngsters who participates in the previous year's youth soccer camps at Clemson University is selected to go to Sao Paulo. Scott, a 17-year-old junior at Evans High School, was one of fewer than 20 students who were chosen for the honor.
"Scott is not only a great soccer player he is also one of the best kids that I have ever dealt with - in the classroom and on the playing field," said Brian Killips, the coach of the Evans High School boys soccer team, for which Scott has played since his freshman year. "On the soccer field, nothing fazes Scott. He keeps a level head at all times. Scott's size and ability to keep the defense strong are his best attributes. Scott is also a fantastic keeper, a position that he might play next year. Scott was injured two games ago and he has been hard to replace," Killips said.
Scott Hartenstein was going to be playing soccer in Brazil this summer, but an injury will keep him on the sidelines instead of training with professional players. Scott held garage sales and received donations from his family and friends to make the trip to Brazil.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Soccer has been a passion of Scott's since he took up the sport when he was 6 years old.
"I started out just for fun because my brother played," said the son of Kim and Fred Hartenstein, of Martinez. "I kept on because I loved it."
Scott, who hopes to receive a college scholarship for his soccer talent, has been playing travel soccer with the Georgia Youth Soccer Association for six years. In travel soccer, club teams from throughout the state compete.
Before his injury, Scott worked at Augusta National Golf Club to raise money for his trip. He also held a garage sale and solicited donations from family and friends. His parents had assured him that he could go to Brazil, but he must be willing to pay his way. For his effort, his parents put up the remaining $750 needed to cover the costs of the $2,100 trip. Program organizers have agreed to give Scott a discount since he won't be participating in the camp, and the money he raised on his own will cover the cost of the trip.
"I'll pretty much go for the sightseeing," he said. "But that's OK. It will still be fun."