LORAIN — For an eighth grader, Julian Castro has done quite a bit of traveling over the past year.
          The Lorain resident and General Johnny Wilson Middle School student has been globe-trotting with the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. He has been on an International European Tour and attended camps in Kansas, Missouri Boston and Florida over the past year.

          Needless to say he’s enjoyed the traveling from a culture perspective and a competitive one.
          “It’s a lot of fun. There are a lot of sights you can see,” Julian Castro said. “Not a lot of people get that chance. You get to play with a lot of players who have different skills. It makes you better.”
          This week, Julian is on the most ambitious trip yet, to Guadalajara, Mexico for the USA National Soccer Federation’s U14 camp.
          It’s a great opportunity for Castro, who had been competing on Regional teams over the past 10 months and is eager to take the next step.
          “It’s a big achievement,” said Julian’s father, Nelson Castro. “He got to go to Boston and train with the USA team there and before that did a tour of Europe with the (Olympic Development Program). That’s basically how it really got started, through the ODP program.
          “It’s like a pyramid that goes up and once you reach the USA you reach the top and he’s got a good future if he keeps it up.”
          For Julian, who works hard at his craft, it’s a nice reward to say the least.
          “It’s a good achievement for me to make the national team that’s what every kid playing soccer wants to do,” Julian said. “I have to work hard and have determination.” 

Julian said a lot of his opportunities are thanks to the ODP, which has helped him develop a great deal as a player, as well as exposed him to national scouts.
          “It can really get you somewhere if you join the program,” he said.
          Julian began playing soccer as early as three years old. It was a pretty natural fit.
          “We saw it even when he was little,” Nelson said. “There always seemed to be someone that saw something in him.”
          And as he got better, Julian began to like the game more and saw it as an opportunity as much as a hobby.
          “I was good at it,” Julian said. “I thought if I was good then maybe I could get somewhere with it.”
          He’s even made a fan out of his dad, who didn’t know much about soccer growing up, but has gained quite an interest.
          “When I was growing up soccer really wasn’t that big,” Nelson said. “I think with the World Cup I think a lot more people got exposed to it.
          “I’ve grown to really like the game especially watching him.”
          And it’s also brought quite a bit of pride to the whole Castro family.

          “My wife and I are both proud of him,” Nelson said. “Our whole family. He’s done a lot in the years he’s been playing and moved up pretty quickly. It’s nice for us to see when he gets noticed by other people. We hope he takes it to another level.”
          Julian returns next weekend from Mexico and then it’s back to normal life until his next big camp invite. In the meantime he’ll rejoin his General Johnny Wilson basketball teammates as they continue their undefeated season.