Jan 14, 2001 - 04:23 PM

Speedy Gluski a wall on Clearwater field
LEE DIEKEMPER Tribune correspondent

CLEARWATER - Clearwater sweeper has been a defensive force in helping the Tornadoes.

Tom Gluski has a 4.0 grade-point average, which obviously shows his academic work has paid off for the Cleawater High senior. He carries that same graded standard on the soccer field.

If teams try to score on the Tornadoes, who are 13-4-2, opponents have the task of getting past Gluski.

``I kind of keep back [on defense] and keep things steady back there,'' Gluski said.

Gluski is the perfect person to play defense. He's as hard-nosed as anyone you could find.

``He's just solid in the back,'' Clearwater coach Bruce Toscani said. ``He comes out of the back really well as far as pushing the ball forward to start the offense. He'll get a turnover and start the attack. He's like a point guard in basketball taking the ball downcourt really fast.

``His hard work is what creates the abilities for him,'' Toscani said. ``He's a role model for other kids to look up to.''

What helps Gluski is his speed.

``Tom doesn't get beat in the back,'' Toscani said. ``He's really fast, which helps. And he's very good, very hard-nosed. He wins the ball in the air a lot on headers which is pretty big for a sweeper.

``The sweeper's job is mainly to put a lot of long balls through so you have to have a good sweeper to win ball games,'' Toscani said.

It helps to have a sweeper with the make up of Gluski, who possesses a dangerous combination of speed and the ability to play physical soccer.

``I just like physical play,'' Gluski said. ``I am fast, and I am physical. I take pride in that. But it does freak [opponents] out a little.''

Because of his defensive responsibilities, Gluski does not get to shine on offense too often. But on the rare occasions where he does, he excels.

One such example was a 1-0 win against Clearwater Central Catholic in the Coca-Cola tournament.

``The ball bounced around in the back and I brought it up to midfield,'' Gluski remembered. ``The ball crossed back in the box and I kept following it. I hit the ball with my left foot on a kind of a volley. The ball just sort of crept in there [for the score].''

But individual honors are not a priority for Gluski.

``I just try to keep working hard,'' Gluski said. ``I try to help out the team. I try to leave it all out there on the field, not leave anything back.''