Soccer champ

Michael Garlowich Jr. is only 8 years old, but he's already making his mark as a soccer player.

He recently placed fourth in the state in the Elks Pennsylvania State Soccer Shoot, held in State College, Centre County.

Michael worked his way up through the local contest and the Southwest District competition, which he won to earn his trip to the state contest.

Michael's mother, Angie Garlowich, said contestants amass points for kicking soccer balls.

"I think there are six different-size nets that they have to kick the ball into," she said, adding that contestants get three shots at each one. The distance to the net varies by age group.

"For each shot, you get so many points," Garlowich said.

Smaller nets are worth more points. "They total up the points, and whoever has the most points gets to move on."

At State College Michael placed fourth in his age group and received a plaque to mark his achievement.

Garlowich said entering the Elks Soccer Shoot was a natural move for her son, who plays for the Scottdale Soccer Club.

"He's been playing since he was 4, and he's 8 now," Garlowich said. "Our older daughter is 10, and she plays, too."

In addition to Michael and his older sister, Maria, the Garlowiches have twin daughters who are toddlers. Garlowich said chances are good the twins will play soccer as well, but it will be awhile before they're eligible for club play.

"They actually can't play on a team until they're 4," she said.

Garlowich said Maria and Michael's pursuit of the sport came about purely by chance.

"We've never played soccer, but we were just kind of looking for some sports for our kids, and somebody had mentioned that soccer was getting really big," she said.

Now that Michael has a few years of experience under his belt, he has developed into a strong defensive player.

"He's kind of everywhere on the field, but he's strong on defense," Garlowich said.

Michael also plays baseball, his mother added, and is considering taking up football.

"He plays baseball in the summer, but soccer is the big thing that he's been doing," she said.

When the weather keeps them from playing outdoors, both Michael and Maria stay in shape by playing indoor soccer.

"Right now, they're both playing indoor soccer at Hot Shots," Garlowich said. "(Michael) would play 24 hours a day if you let him."