To Columbus North coach Andy Glover, the way Tyler Heathcote moves on the soccer field is like a geometry problem.
Based on his scores of 2280 on the SAT and 33 on the ACT, the Columbus North senior is well-versed in the subject of geometry. His 215 out of 240 on the PSAT last year led to his certification as a National Merit Semifinalist.
“He has a very intellectual approach,” Glover said. “The way he plays leads me to deduce that he views the game as a geometry problem that can be solved, and he solves it very well.”
Heathcote, who ranks fifth in class with a 4.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale, said he tries to use his intellectual abilities on the field.
“I think it gives me a more clear vision and helps me see some of the plays that maybe I wouldn’t see otherwise,” Heathcote said.
Now in his third year of varsity and his second year as a starting center midfielder, Heathcote has shined on both sides of the ball.
“He does a good job managing the competition from the center of the park defensively and in the (offensive) attack,” Glover said. “I think Tyler had displayed a high level of maturity in terms of his performance. He’s very consistent in terms of dependability, accountability and performance. He is a big leader, indeed.
“Tyler is a reflection of what our program can produce with a young man willing to put in the work and maintain the right attitude throughout his four years,” he said. “He is consistently performing at the upper range of his abilities as a result of being a part of our program for the long term.”
Heathcote is undecided about playing soccer in college. He wants to major in engineering and is looking at Purdue, Rose-Hulman, Michigan, MIT and Princeton. If he attends Rose-Hulman or another small school, he likely will play.
For now, Heathcote is focused on helping the Bull Dogs in Saturday’s Conference Indiana Tournament and in the postseason, which begins Oct. 5. North is currently 5-4-3.
“We had a stretch of games where we weren’t doing the greatest as far as results went,” Heathcote said. “But throughout the season, we’ve steadily improved, and we should be where we need to be by the postseason, I hope.”
The Bull Dogs lost to Class 2A then-No. 1 Avon 3-0 on Sept. 12. North upset 2A then-No. 6 Center Grove 2-1 on Saturday before falling to 2A No. 9 Bloomington South 1-0 on Tuesday.
Columbus North and Bloomington South could meet again in Saturday’s Conference Indiana final and possibly another time in the North Regional.
“Based on playing Avon and Center Grove, I really think we can compete with them,” Heathcote said. “It makes me think we can do just about anything if we work hard enough.”
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Conference Indiana soccer tournaments
Saturday at Karst Park, Bloomington
Girls Championship bracket
Match 1: Perry Meridian vs. Bloomington South, 1 p.m.
Match 2: Terre Haute North vs. Columbus North, 1 p.m.
Match 5: Match 1 loser vs. Match 2 loser, third place, about 5 p.m.
Match 6: Match 1 winner vs. Match 2 winner, championship, about 5 p.m.
Boys Championship bracket
Match 1: Columbus North vs. Bloomington North, about 3 p.m.
Match 2: Bloomington South vs. Perry Meridian, about 3 p.m.
Match 5: Match 1 loser vs. Match 2 loser, third place, about 7 p.m.
Match 6: Match 1 winner vs. Match 2 winner, championship, about 7 p.m.
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