Jan 14,
2001 - 04:23 PM
Speedy Gluski a wall on Clearwater
field
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.''