Local Teen Shines at Junior International Cup
Christian Myrick is making waves, proudly showcasing the Team USA flag. This summer has truly been a dream come true for the 10th graders at Deer Park High School. Recently, he earned a gold medal with Team USA at the USA Football Junior International Cup held in Los Angeles, confirming his status as one of the nation’s top flag football talents for his age group.
“I thought football would be good, but joining Team USA? I never saw that coming,” the quick wide receiver and defensive back shared.
Myrick felt confident as he prepared for the June competitions, which featured around 1,800 of the best under-15 flag football players in the country. He admitted, somewhat modestly, “Honestly, I didn’t even think I would make the cut, so I was really proud.” He went on to celebrate a standout moment where he caught a 50-yard touchdown pass in a commanding 47-14 victory over Japan.
Exceeding Expectations
Interestingly, Myrick doesn’t seem to have an inflated sense of self. During his freshman year, he excelled as a varsity football player at Deer Park, taking on roles like quarterback, running back, and safety wherever coach Cody Ciolino saw fit, in addition to his usual playing position with the Falcons.
“When you think about it, he achieved so much at just 14 years old,” Ciolino remarked, reflecting on the all-state player’s impressive record of 12 touchdowns and 825 yards. “He shows natural leadership. Even as a freshman, he had juniors and seniors looking up to him.”
Football runs in Myrick’s family. His older brother, Matthew, played defensive lineman in college, while his father, Rodney, enjoyed a semi-professional career that deepened Christian’s passion for the sport.
“My dad coached me from the sidelines, and it helped me see things I might have missed,” Myrick explained, recalling how beneficial that support was.
Additionally, his older sister, Olivia, played a significant role in his journey. “She actually got me tackling before I even started with flags,” he said. “We played on the same team, with me playing up and her playing down.”
Setting the Standard
Competing at a higher physical level has enhanced Myrick’s skills in flag football, particularly his agility and ability to dodge opponents. Regularly participating in tournaments across the Northeast became routine for him, where his name became nearly synonymous with success.
With over 40 championship rings and numerous medals from five years of flag football, Myrick has certainly made his mark. “What I really want is to add a varsity title to my ring collection,” he expressed. “Oh, and an Olympic gold medal,” he added, revealing his aspirations of playing for Ohio State or LSU as he catches a pass from NFL player Jackson Dart.
For now, Myrick is emerging as a local figure of inspiration, eager to keep making Deer Park proud. “It was awesome. My friends started calling me Team USA,” he grinned.
Coach Ciolino holds high hopes for Myrick’s contributions on the field. “I think he has the potential to excite everyone at Deer Park with his talent,” the coach noted.
As he gears up for tryouts with Team USA’s under-17 squad, Myrick also aims to excel in other sports, particularly basketball as a shooting guard and track in the spring. “I want to step up. I know I play a big part in football, but I believe I can achieve more in other sports,” he stated determinedly. “I want to get that done.”
