By Derrick Smith

For Axton Pickard, success means being the best soccer player that he can be.

“For me to be a successful soccer player, I have put in countless hours of practice to prepare myself mentally and physically,” he said. “I have watched numerous Youtube videos of goalkeepers from around the world in order to learn their technique to put to use in my game.”

Pickard is a junior at Edmond North High School. He plays goalkeeper for the Huskies’ soccer team. He has played the game of soccer for six years and his love for the game goes beyond him just playing the game. He also enjoys being an ambassador for the game.

“I am involved with an organization called TopSoccer,” Axton said. “It allows me to work with and play soccer with children that have special needs. It is a really great program.”

He has had many people that have touched his life over the years, but he says that there are two people that have made the biggest impact.

“My parents are my biggest role models,” he said. “They have taught me everything I need to know about soccer and life.”

Another person that has had an influence on Pickard’s life is one of his teachers.

“My favorite teacher would have to be Miss Sandra Brown,” he said. “She has done so much to help me feel prepared for college and the next chapter in my life.”

Axton has had a lot of great experiences during his soccer career, but he says that a couple of personal accomplishments are at the top of his list.

“The highlight moments of my career both happened in 2020,” he stated. “I made the varsity team at Edmond North and I also made the first team at OEFC, my soccer club. It was a great feeling to accomplish both.”

Pickard also excels in the classroom. He carries a 3.9 grade point average, was given an Academic Letter Award for the 2019-2020 year and was also given membership into the Oklahoma High School Honor Society.