Senior Spotlight: Ostertag aims to lead Wildcat soccer to postseason

Senior Grant Ostertag has led the West soccer team for the past two years. Ahead of his final season in a blue and white jersey, Ostertag aims to have one last go at silverware, after missing out in past years. Leveraging the senior’s varsity experience since his freshman year, Coach Matt Callahan believes Ostertag can lead the team to success as captain. 

“Grant has had some experience early on with being around the varsity players,” Callahan said. “I think that helped him throughout his career. He’s grown to become a leader, now he’s a captain for the team.”

With the spring season beginning, Ostertag aims for a successful season with potential to add to the trophy cabinet. 

“I want to be in the fight for conference; I want to be a contender,” he said. “Personally I want to be a better captain, because last year I let myself and my team down. I want to lead by example a little more, lift people up rather than bring them down.”

Ostertag believes achieving one's goals is simple if time and effort is put into outlining the desired areas of improvement. 

“Achieving those goals can be as simple as making a list to remind myself of the things I need to do and focus on,” he said. “They can also be achieved by being more involved in the program, and with my teammates, making sure they are showing up and getting the job done.”

As he gets ready for his senior season, Ostertag looks back at his mistakes throughout his career, such as West getting knocked out in the sectional finals. 

“Something I regret is losing one game before state,” he said. “That was one of my weakest moments; I wish I could go back and replay that game. That was quite the bus ride back after that game.”

Senior Jake Sprister has played alongside Ostertag for many years and knows that his personality on and off the field brings the team together.

“Grant does not only perform well, he also builds chemistry among the players,” he said. “When the morale is down, he motivates. When we lose a game, he tells us to rebound next time. He has been a great asset to the team.”

Ostertag has grown over his four years at West, starting out as a guest player for varsity as a freshman to captain as a senior.

“Starting out as a freshman and working my way up as a captain my junior year has definitely proved how much I’ve grown as a player,” Ostertag said. “As a person, soccer has taught me to be a leader.”

Ostertag’s success does not only come from his performance on the pitch. He leads by example and has a plan for every practice and drill.

“Grant is one the most detail-oriented people you’ll ever meet,” senior Demetri Voulgaris said. “When it comes to training he always has a plan of what he wants to do and he will push everybody until it is done perfectly.”

Voulgaris sees Ostertag as not only a leader who drives for perfection, but a devoted player to the game who sees and plays soccer like no one else.

“Grant has been my partner all throughout my career and without him I don’t know where I would be,” he said. “His willingness to always want to play and his understanding of the game is something that makes him such a good partner.”

Ostertag aims to play at the collegiate level, furthering his education while playing another four years of the game he loves. 

“I plan on going to college to play soccer,” he said. “I’m not committed and I’m undecided on a major, but have some plans on getting my masters in four or five years.”

Voulgaris also looks forward to Ostertag’s future endeavours in the next stages of his life, and hopes that his partner excels in whatever he pursues.

“I wish him the best of luck wherever he ends up,” Voulgaris said. “He is a class player and a good friend of mine, and I know he will succeed and be a leader.”

Ostertag’s ambition to always do the best he can while playing and leading has been a major drive for his success as a soccer player. Callahan sees this as a benefit for him and the team.

“When I think of Grant I think of his incredible competitiveness,” Callahan said. “He likes to compete and has a high standard for his performance and his team’s performance, so that drives him and his teammates. He always works hard to get to that next level. I’m super impressed with his character and work ethic and look forward to the spring and what his future holds.”

By Zade Alzoubi

February 26, 2021

Oshkosh West Index Issue 5 Volume 117