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The Marina’s Jake Himelstein is now associated with one of the world’s premier soccer teams. Photo: courtesy Dan Himelstein
A local student is getting the chance to be a part of one of the most storied soccer organizations in the world. Jake Himelstein has joined FC Barcelona’s Residential Academy in Arizona, where he will have access to top coaches, players, and facilities, in addition to a high school preparatory academy run by Arizona State University.
Himelstein, a high school sophomore who attended Sherman Elementary, Marina Middle School, and Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, was one of only 100 top youth soccer players selected by the Barca Academy following tryouts over the summer.
“This is an opportunity for me to find out how good I can be in soccer, and to be able to do it with Barca is a dream come true,” said Himelstein.
Until his selection for Barca’s academy, Himelstein kept his sporting options open. “I was a catcher in baseball,” he said. “If the Giants had come calling first, maybe that would have been my path.”
