Lions standout looks to increase recruitment interest
This past March was emotionally tough for Cambridge Lions linebacker Mario Pineda.
Mario Pineda
Positions:
Linebacker
Height/Weight:
5’10, 210 lbs
Teams:
Jacob Hespeler Hawks (high school: WCSSAA)
Cambridge Lions (OVFL)
Commitment:
None
Official Visits:
None
Considerations:
Open
Class:
2017
Mario started playing the sport at the age of nine with the Cambridge Lions of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). He has played all levels with the Lions from bantam right up to varsity.
With the Lions, he has won the OVFL Championship twice (2011, 2013) and has been selected as an OVFL All-Star (2012).
Additionally, Mario has played with Jacob Hespeler Hawks of the Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association (WCSSAA) where he has won two WCSSAA Championships (2013, 2014), named Rookie of the Year in 2012 and Defensive MVP in 2013.
This past year was a particularly emotional for Mario and the Hawks as Coach Hatt was diagnosed with cancer and was unable to partake in his coaching duties. The team bonded together with a common goal to win the WCSSAA Championship for him. With their strength and determination, the Hawks were able to capture the title. This past March, Coach “Hatter” lost the battle and passed away.
Mario follows a strict training regimen.
“Training right now is fun,” says Mario. “I train three to five times a week.”
“I am grateful enough to have one of the best gyms in Ontario at my High School thanks to my coach Greg White. Right now I follow a program called BSF which has me doing Olympic lifts and lots of athletic training and movements. When I’m not in the weight room, I’m trying to do footwork or track work”
Aside from the gym, Mario also plays soccer for Jacob Hespeler and also does track. He also fits in yoga once a week.
So far, the recruitment process has been a little slower than Mario would like. However, he hopes it will be much different in the coming days.
“Its been ok so far, I have talked to a few coaches after games but no real interest yet,” he says. “But I’m hoping to change that in the future!”
Mario is fortunate to have a recent CFL draftee that he can lean on for support during this process,
“Chris Ackie is a family friend who always gives me advice and helps me with football and my recruiting process” says Mario “I look up to him”
Mario’s main goal is becoming a CFL player. However, if that doesn’t work out, his backup plan is to pursue a career as a firefighter.
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