CRUZ COLINA

MUSKOGEE HIGH SCHOOL

The surname Colina is one that is well known in Muskogee soccer circles and the latest to make it to the top of the Muskogee Rougher lineup is senior Cruz Colina who plays the center mid spot.

“He’s worked his tail off since he was a freshman,” said his coach, Diego Zavala. “He earned some minutes and eventually some starts that first year and became a captain last year. On the field he’s a vocal leader and a selfless player and he’s also a star in the classroom where he takes concurrent college classes and carries a 4.0 GPA. He embodies everything a student athlete should be.”

Colina credits his dad for getting him started in soccer and teaching him everything he knows about the game. Last year he was instrumental in helping the Roughers make the state playoffs for the first time in 11 years with the help of a great stretch run.

“Last year was an important season for me and the team. We had to win four straight games at the end of the season to make it to the playoffs. I think the last game against Coweta was the biggest one for me. The whole team just played together really well in that game,” said Cruz who is a member of the National Honor Society.

After playing in Class 5A last year, the Roughers return to 6A this year but that won’t shake Cruz says his coach.

“He’s never been intimated about having to play the big schools like Jenks and Broken Arrow.”

They’ll be some new faces for the Roughers to test this year with a district made up of Broken Arrow, Bixby, Bartlesville, Owasso, Sand Springs, Westmoore and Mustang but Cruz Colina says that’s all right.

“Even though we’re back in 6A this year in a new district, I still think we can win some games against them and make the playoffs again.”

Colina hopes to play college soccer next year and hopes to leave a positive legacy for Muskogee soccer.

“I’d like to be remembered as someone who gave it his all and was an important part of his team, a great leader and someone younger kids could look up to.”