July 2, 2012

There is no such thing as taking a break for sophomore Candice Osei-Agyemang. In preparation for both the Fall 2012 soccer season at the University of Arizona and a position on the Ghana U20 team, Osei-Agyemang spends most of her summer days in training.

"While I was in Seattle I was practicing with two boys teams," Osei-Agyemang said. "I also had a personal trainer that I was seeing at least twice a week outside of my workouts alone. I join the Ghana team in training camp for a month before we embark on a training tour and ultimately end up in Japan in August."

Osei-Agyemang praises her trainers and coaches who have prepared her mentally and physically for her tryouts for a position on the Ghana U20 team. Mental toughness and talent go hand in hand when competing for such an opportunity.

"During this past year of playing at the University of Arizona," Osei-Agyemang said. "My coaches and trainers have really prepared me for such an opportunity. Within our various workouts, I have learned to always strive for more, to go above and beyond what I consider to be enough."

Not only would earning a spot on the Ghana U20 team prove her hard work paying off, but it is a chance for Osei-Agyemang to represent a part of her heritage in a unique way. This would be the next big step for her to play at the highest level internationally for her age group.

"To earn a spot on the roster with the Ghana U20 team would mean so much," Osei-Agyemang said. "It means a lot of years of hard work paying off and a progression since I also played in the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand. I will be given an opportunity to play at a higher level, and I would get to represent a part of my heritage through sports."