The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1310365
DECEMBER 2020 THE WOLVERINE 15 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Michigan men's soccer senior mid- fielder Carlos Tellez is comfortable with being uncomfortable. A Mexican citizen with United States residency, Tellez chose to leave Hol- lywood, Fla., for the Midwest to attend U-M, looking to be pushed in multiple areas. "I knew I wanted a place that would really challenge me both academically and athletically," Tellez said. "I was very aware, of course, of how well-known Michigan athletics are, in terms of the resources and the capabilities it gives student-athletes, and just how com- petitive it is here." A pre -admitted student into the prestigious Ross School of Business, Tellez experienced just how difficult it is to balance being both a student and an athlete at U-M in his first semester. "It was kind of a baptism by fire," Tellez explained. "You're introduced to college athletics and also academics. So it's very different than high school. And it definitely took me some time to get used to it." After reflecting on a tough semester, Tellez didn't just get acclimated, he be- gan to thrive despite the competitive nature that goes along with balancing school and sport, using his adversity as a tool to succeed. "I remember being home in Decem- ber, looking back, and I just realized that I wasn't making the most of my college experience," Tellez recalled. "I knew these years would fly by, and from that moment forward, I dedi- cated myself to focusing all of my en- ergy towards whatever I'm doing." During his sophomore year, Tellez tal- lied his first career point, an assist against Detroit Mercy, was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree and got involved with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, helping organize charity fundraisers and other community projects. He was then elected president of the organization ahead of his junior year, a position he will hold until graduation. He decided to join the SAAC lead- ership team because of the platform that athletes have, especially within the Ann Arbor community, and the fact that he would be able to meet more fellow student-athletes and gain new perspectives. "Sometimes, we become siloed in our own respective teams. And I think we should branch out and reach out to other teams and other people in differ- ent teams and meet those people and share our experiences, I think that's how one can really open themselves up to whole new opportunities and perspec- tives that they've never had before." By throwing himself into the univer- sity community, he also helps others learn from his own unique viewpoint. In his junior season, he appeared in 19 matches, making 12 starts, while logging a goal and two assists, and he was once again named Academic All-Big Ten. His years in Ann Arbor have flown by, he said, just like he pre- dicted. The last three summers, he's worked internships in Boston, Mexico and Houston, and he has accepted a full-time position for after graduation in May 2021. When asked the most important les- son he's learned at U-M that he'll take with him for the rest of his life, Tellez summed up perfectly what his experi- ence has been all about. "I'd say I've really, really learned the dangers of mediocrity and becoming comfortable with where you are," he said. "And not to say that it's not good to be satisfied with your position, whether that's in the classroom or on the field, but it's dangerous to do so. "Every day, whether you're the star of the team or the valedictorian of the school, you should always be striving, each and every day, to become a bet- ter version of yourself, and you should always compare yourself with your own potential." With just several months left in col- lege, Tellez is ready to take that lesson out with him into the world. — Clayton Sayfie In his junior season, Tellez appeared in 19 matches, making 12 starts, while logging a goal and two assists, and he was named Academic All-Big Ten. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY Student-Athlete Of The Month Men's Soccer Senior Carlos Tellez