For Orry Powers, the shoe that fits has never been the most popular or obvious choice. When switching sports, positions and even shoes, the sophomore defender usually takes the unexpected route.
Powers attended local Garner High School, where he helped his soccer team make history. But before he became a standout on the field, he played regularly on the diamond.
“I played baseball for a couple years, but then soccer got more serious,” Powers said. “I was playing recreational baseball, and I was playing select soccer, which is basically the highest you can go. It took up more time, so I quit everything else and focused on soccer.”
Even though his soccer team was more successful than Garner’s football team, it never seemed to get the recognition it deserved. So the players took matters into their own hands by fund-raising to afford new uniforms, which they wore all the way to the third round of the state playoffs — a first for Garner soccer.
“My high school is not really known for soccer,” Powers said. “My freshman year, we wore the basketball team’s warm-ups for our game jerseys. We were always compared to the football team. It came to a point where we just stopped worrying about it. We just kept winning games, and the fans just kept coming.”
Powers credits his father for influencing his decision to pick up soccer as a kid. Gary Powers, the athletic director for Southeast Raleigh High School, coached Orry since he was 8 years old. He said his best memory of his son was when Orry scored four goals for Garner to shut out Southeast, 5-0, and clinch its playoff berth.
As a forward, Powers led the Trojans in goals for three straight seasons, scoring 37 his senior year and ending his career with 83. Powers always thought he would remain at his life-long position once he enrolled at N.C. State, especially since coach George Tarantini witnessed one of his best offensive performances.
“During the one game that he came and saw, I played forward, scored both goals, and we won 2-0,” Powers said. “I never played defense before until I came here. I just assumed since that’s where he saw me, that was where I was going to play. But he just changed it up on me.”
Powers said the switch was frustrating for him as a freshman, but the experience he gained last year has paid off. Tarantini said Powers has emerged this season as a leader and presence in the backfield.
“He’s the guy who has a tremendous influence on all those young guys we have from North Carolina,” Tarantini said. “He’s started every game for N.C. State in the past few years. His contributions are excellent. He can play up top. He can play in the back. We want him to grow and become the best player possible.”
Despite playing in the backfield, Powers has scored three goals already this season. The defender is not only known for his ability to convert free kicks. He is also known as the flashiest player on the field — at least when it comes to his footwear.
Powers occasionally sports a pair of neon green cleats, which the former owner passed on to him because he thought they were “hideous.” They not only make a fashion statement; they’ve also served as a superstition for the defender this season.
“Usually, if I’m going to wear them, then I don’t start out wearing them,” he said. “I’ve only come out wearing them once, and we lost. If I’m not playing good, I’ll change it up [and wear the shoes].”
Gary Powers was shocked the first time he saw the shoes, but said they serve a practical purpose. He said his son has a history of foot trouble and has worn out six to 10 pairs of shoes every year since he was 13 years old.
“I could have sent him to N.C. State with the money I’ve spent on shoes,” he said.
“We have bought shoes throughout the years, switched shoes and sent back shoes. The reason he wears the neon green is that they are the ones that fit the best right now.”
