Francis Marion University Athletics

FMU:  2-year returning letterman....Missed the 2024 season with an injury....Conference Carolinas Fall Academic All-Conference Team 2023, 2024....Appeared in 16 matches and made 3 starts in 2023....Shared team lead with 4 assists....Scored in win over Erskine (9-8-23) and recorded three assists for 5 points....Recorded 13 shots (8 on goal)....Ranked 15th in Conference Carolinas for assists per match (.250)....Played in 18 matches and made 13 starts in 2022....Recorded 3 goals, 2 assists, and 25 shots (14 on frame)....Transfer from Marshalltown Community College, where he played two seasons.....Chi Alpha Sigma national college athlete honor society....Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award 2023, 2024....FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll 2022 (fall), 2023 (spring, fall), 2024 (spring, fall)....Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll 2022 (fall), 2023 (spring, fall), 2024 (fall).

MCC: Earned first-team All-Region NJCAA D1 honors....Played in 12 matches with eight starts in 2021 and recorded two goals and two assists on 17 shots....Registered two goals on 13 shots during 2020 campaign.....2-time first-team Academic All-Region Team.

PERSONAL:

• Born in Caracas, Miranda, Venezuela
• Graduate of Santiago De León de Caracas, where he played for coach Walter Chanponne
• Nicknames are Jhanki, Palma, and Jhanca

PERSONAL FAVORITES:

• As a child what you wanted to be when you grew up: Professional soccer player
• How you got your nickname: From teammates
• Favorite Fictional Character: Spider Man
• Favorite Athlete: Lionel Messi
• Favorite Sports Team: Barcelona
• Favorite Movie or TV Show: Peaky Blinders
• Favorite Food: Arepa
• Favorite Vacation Spot: The beach
• Favorite Musical Artist: Eladio Carrion
• Favorite Thing About FMU: Hartzler Soccer Field and the campus
• Favorite Off-Field Activities: Gaming, gym, and hanging out with my friends
• Goals for Upcoming Season: Build a strong family, keep grinding every day, and go game by game in order to bring the championship back home
• Why you first chose your sport: Was really passionate since day one when my dad used to take me to his pick-up games, and decided to go along with soccer after practiced tennis and swimming at the same time
• Biggest mental challenge in your sport: Not putting the head down; work harder than everyone else, and confidence
• Brush With Greatness: Practiced with the first team back in Venezuela with my club; full-filled my dreams of playing in the US