“I was shocked,” says Kota Furuhata when recalling his first reaction to learning he was named to the Pennsylvania All-State boy’s soccer team. “I knew I was nominated, but never thought I would get it this year; I was hoping maybe next year as a senior.”
Not only was the Fox Chapel Area High School star named to Pennsylvania’s most elite soccer team, he was the sole junior in the state to receive the honor.
Closer to home, the midfielder and Foxes’ captain just picked up another award as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette North Player of the Year, and was voted by the school’s soccer program as the team MVP.
By no means have Kota’s rewards come easily; they are the result of persistence, a strong work ethic, dedication, and admirable humility. The scholar-athlete with a weighted grade point average of 4.24 said he improved his play from his sophomore year by practicing every day and beginning a weight-lifting program. It also didn’t hurt that Kota grew three inches over the summer and gained 25 pounds, giving him more strength and better sight lines from center field.
Part of his motivation, he says, comes from older brother Shota, and sister Yayoi, who also were accomplished soccer standouts at the high school. “They keep pushing me to the limits and I’ve been inspired to at least equal their accomplishments, or go even further,” he explains.
With still a year left to go, he’s already done that. “Kota has unbelievable field vision,” remarks Fox Chapel Area High School head coach Erik Ingram. “He has a really good read of the game and is a workhorse; he’s definitely raised the level of the team. In my nine years of coaching at Fox Chapel, Kota is the best example of leadership I’ve seen. Besides what he does on the field, he’s good to his teammates and is just an outstanding kid.”
Over the winter, Kota will train and play indoor soccer, and then in the spring and summer play for the Arsenal Football Club, his cup travel team that competes in one of the most difficult youth leagues in the tri-state area. Last season they won the state championship and advanced to the U.S. Youth Soccer regional tournament in Rhode Island.
The six foot tall scholar-athlete says he’s also considering joining the high school boys’ volleyball team and enjoys shooting, editing, and producing videos. Plus, he puts a good amount of hours into his academics – he’s strong in math – and studying for his Advanced Placement (AP) classes. His early college plans are to study either science or business.
While Kota has a lot going on right now, he is already thinking ahead to his final season with the Foxes. His goals are largely team centered. “I want to continue the winning tradition of soccer at Fox Chapel Area High School and make the best decisions I can on the field,” he says. “I really want to see the team go to the semi-finals at WPIALs and qualify for states [PIAA championships] next year.”