Rochelle Township High School senior Carlos Nambo had played soccer with most of his Hub teammates since he was 12 years old. With several years of experience together on the field, it’s no surprise that Nambo and the Hubs have ushered in arguably Rochelle’s most successful stretch of varsity soccer in program history over the last few seasons.

A four-year player for the Hubs, Nambo became a varsity midfielder during his sophomore season in 2017, when Rochelle went 11-8-1 and won the War on 34 in Earlville. Nambo remained in a reserve role as a junior in 2018, but his ball control in the midfield helped the Hubs record their best season in school history, winning 20 games including an IHSA 2A Sectional Semifinal over Providence Catholic, Nambo’s favorite moments with the team.

“My favorite memory was winning the sectional semifinal game and knowing we had done something that no team in school history had done before,” Nambo said. “The RTHS soccer team taught me how to push myself to my limits in everything I do.”

After the Hub soccer program graduated a large and talented 2019 class, Nambo earned a starting midfield position this past fall, totaling four assists on the season and guiding the Hubs to a 13-8 record. Nambo, who has played soccer since he was 5, said he plans to study business at Kishwaukee College before transferring to a four-year university to finish his academics.

“I really enjoyed the bus rides home after wins,” Nambo said. “I think I improved my communication the most and I became more of a vocal leader throughout my career. My teammates and I played together for a long time.”