Wolves soccer player signs to be a Hardrocker

One of the Wolves' soccer standouts will continue playing in his college career. 

Green River High School Senior Stone Rubeck recently signed his letter of intent to play soccer for the Hardrockers at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota. 

Rubeck explained he'd been looking into different colleges and emailing coaches when the Hardrockers coach replied to him and said there were still some spots on the roster. Rubeck was able to take a short-notice trip to the school to meet the coaching staff and practice with the team. 

"[The coach] liked me and gave me the option, and I took it," Rubeck explained. 

South Dakota Mines also offers Rubeck exciting opportunities for his studies. 

"I chose it because it's an engineering school," Rubeck said, explaining he hopes to be an engineer in the future. He's excited about the chance to both study in his field of interest and keep playing soccer. 

Rubeck has been playing for the Wolves every year of his high school career, and before that he was involved with soccer clubs. He enjoys being in the center of the action as a midfielder, and he has worked hard and enjoyed celebrating victories with his teammates. The end of last year's season was one of his top highlights from his time playing for the Wolves. 

"We lost our first game at State, which was a bummer, but we bounced back and we won our three games, so we ended up winning the consolation," Rubeck explained. 

It was especially exciting for Rubeck to share that victory with the seniors on the team, such as his friend Braxton Cordova.  

"It was just good to get a good season with him because we struggled before, but last year the ending was good," Rubeck said. 

He's also looking forward to being able to play another year with the Wolves as a senior this season, and then continuing his career as a Hardrocker. 

"I love playing, that's why I want to keep playing in college," he said, adding that he's especially excited to double task with working on both school and soccer, and to see the faster level of competition. "I know high school and college are way different. I'm excited to build up to a higher level."

When it comes to his time as an athlete, Rubeck said the biggest lesson he's learned is to just enjoy playing. 

"It's still just a game, even if you're losing," he said. "I still have fun out there. If I'm losing 10-0, I still have fun just like if I'm winning 10-0. Just have fun."