By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

ELK GROVE, Calif.–  When most high school student-athletes are focused on sports, school work and their social life, Senior Cosumnes Oaks Defender/Midfielder Colby Cross has added one more to that already long laundry list of things.

Volunteer work.

In 2008, Cross started volunteering at xHope Missions, where he also Co-Founded Soccer Jersey Drive for xHope Missions-Uganda Africa and from 2010-2014 he volunteered at Reflect Church.

All of this part of his ever-growing faith in Christianity.

“My faith has opened the door for me to go on missions to Africa. To adopt two brothers, to serve at-risk youth, bring in foster children, and continue to learn to give,” said Cross.  “I think these experiences have helped me to become less selfish and open my heart to others.

It was during this time that Cross and his parents, Rick and Wendi, adopted two children.

While saving up some money to bring Neb, one of the two brothers, over from Ethiopia, Colby decided to step down from playing soccer and joined a select team so his family could save money.

Through this, Colby wanted to help more children be adopted.

“After our family adopted two children, I wanted to see more children placed in families,” he said.

It was during that time when Colby decided to collect soccer jerseys for to give to kids in the country.  After sharing his vision to the EGYSL, Colby’s vision was put into action.

“The real joy was experienced on the ground in Africa when Colby was able to hand out more that 300 soccer jerseys to street kids and orphans,” said mother Wendi Cross.  “Not only were the kids excited about a soccer jersey, some were actually ‘clothed” for the first time on months or years.”

Colby’s story started from birth as he was born to Division-I, University of Nevada-Reno, athletes, so competitiveness and leadership started from the get-go.

“Colby was born into a culture with a lot of love and attention and would naturally go to anyone without hesitation,” said father Rick Cross.  “Colby’s soft spirit and love for others I believe could be confined to the early days of us parenting him in and through college.”

Mother Wendi remembers how generous her son was growing up, giving away his shoes, cleats and/or sweatshirts.

Wendi recalls one time when her son gave someone a pair of new pair of Nike shoes during his freshman year of high school.

“It was the foster mom of another high school student and she was calling to confirm our son Colby had “given” her foster son a pair of new Nike shoes,” Wendi started.  “She said, “It doesn’t seem real that a high school student would give away a pair of new Nike’s and expect nothing in return.  I wanted to make sure they were not stolen.”

“It was then that I realized the many times Colby had given away items with no expectations attached.”

Colby reflects what his parents have taught him through this point of his young life.

“I have grown up watching my parents help others,” he said.

That generosity and responsibility translated to the soccer field.

“I lead by example and I communicate well with all types of people,” said the senior.  “I truly do look to get to know others on and off the field.  My family is known to have the house that gathers my team for pre-game parties, after parties and is always open for a good time.”

His high school accolades on the pitch features being a three year letterman on the Varsity Soccer team for Cosumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove, California that included him being the Third-Captain for the Wolfpack his senior season.

During his senior season, he was named to the Capital Valley Conference First Team All-League, not to mention being named MVP of the CVC in 2015 and was honored with the Team MVP Award individually.

The Cosumnes Oaks Wolfpack (18-1-2, 12-0-2 CVC) went all the way to the Section Title where they defeated Rocklin 2-0 and held opposition to an unbelievable 0.7 goals a game!

“My senior season was a season of winning,” said Cross on his senior year.  “I contribute that to our chemistry on and off the field.  We are all great friends, we sit together at lunch, we gather on weekends, we talk daily.”

Faith in religion has always been an important part in Colby Cross’s life and it played into his consideration to committing to the 17^th-ranked Corban University Men’s Soccer Team.

“Faith is a large part of my life because it helps me with everyday life struggles and keeps me on the right track to serve the Lord,” he said.  “I knew Corban was a good fit for me, not only because of the great soccer team, but the college itself fits my faith and meets me academic desires to graduate with a degree in criminal justice.”

Warriors Head Coach Aaron Lewis knew of Cross’ priority with religion when his program was recruiting him to come play for them.

“Colby expressed that it was a priority to play soccer at high level within a Christian university,” said Lewis.  “We are thankful that he recognized Corban as a place to accomplish those goals.”

Lewis and Cross started talking through email that featured pictures and descriptions of the team.  Next thing they knew they were talking and Lewis invited him to the campus.

“I already had an offer from a Christina college in Northern California pending, and so my parents and I knew I had to make the trip to Corban before making a final decision,” said Cross.  “It all happened so fast; within 2 days I was practicing with the Warriors and I knew immediately this was the college for me.

As a player, Lewis likes how versatile Cross’ athleticism, size and his experience can help the Corban Men’s Soccer team that recently hosted their first ever home playoff game in 2015.

“ I feel that his background playing for a nationally recognized club team, and successful high school program, have set him up to be productive very early in his college career,” said Lewis.  “Colby can play several different positions on the field, including some key defensive roles that we need to address this off-season.”

As for the liquid sunshine that the Great Northwest is famously known for, Cross jokes that he’d rather the rain over the sunshine.

With his high school career recently coming to an end in Elk Grove, he still has his club team to attend to FC Elk Grove.

And to his character, Cross will look to help others.

“I plan to finish club strong by setting a team goal to finish Top 10 in the nation, to win tournaments and (to) help other players get noticed,” said Cross.

Jeremy McDonald is a professional sports journalist in the Salem/Portland area and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalist in Oregon with B.S. degrees from Southern Oregon University in Journalism (2011) and Health/PE (2013).  Got a story idea? Email him at jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com or on Twitter at @J_McDonald81!

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