By Dylan Butler
Richie Lesmes never thought he would say it, but he can’t wait to go to school.
After a month of juggling several possibilities of what school to attend for his senior year, the 17-year-old soccer standout opted for his zoned school, Newtown High School.
Lesmes’ first day was Tuesday.
The addition of the creative center midfielder from Jackson Heights turns an already solid Newtown team into an instant contender for the PSAL city title.
“Some of the players on the team told me that I can help them out a lot,” Lesmes said Monday night. “I want to try and do my best and hopefully bring them a city championship.”
Lesmes scored 16 goals last year for national powerhouse St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, N.J., helping lead the team to a perfect 27-0 record and the New Jersey Prep School Class A state championship.
He attended the school with his older brother David Lesmes, a freshman midfielder at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.
Richie Lesmes transferred to Monsignor McClancy — a school he attended as a freshman — in January to spend more time with his mother, Isabel, following his parents’ separation.
After spending the summer playing with the Brooklyn Knights Under-17 team, as well as with the U-23 Premier Development League team, which is comprised almost exclusively of Division I college players, Lesmes spent the month of August weighing several options of what high school to attend in the fall.
He thought about going back to St. Benedict’s, but Lesmes didn’t think he was ready to fully commit to the program. He thought about going to Holy Cross, but like McClancy, he couldn’t afford the tuition. Lesmes contemplated attending Forest Hills, but his zoned school is Newtown.
Finally Lesmes is set and ready to return to the soccer field, where he will undoubtedly be one of the top players in the city. He is especially looking forward to playing against close friend and Brooklyn Knights teammate Carlos Moncaleano, a center midfielder at rival Long Island City.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
