He was named after James Dean, the iconic movie star of the 1950s. But while Jimmy Zambo might not be a rebel, he definitely has a cause.
Zambo, a Penfield resident who will be a junior at Elyria Catholic this fall, has landed a spot on the Ohio North Olympic Development soccer team. He was the only Lorain County player to do so.
Zambo is one of only 18 players to earn a place on the Ohio North ODP team, whose members’ hometowns stretch from Lima in the West to Youngstown in the East to as south as Bellville.
The team will be in Rockford, Ill., on July 18 to play other state ODP teams. Players performing well enough could be named to the United States national team.
“Jimmy’s one of the greatest one-on-one strikers I’ve seen since coming to EC,” said Elyria Catholic coach Mike Wisnor. “I’m not surprised he made it, but it’s still such an honor when you consider how many kids tried out.”
Zambo worked out all winter and spring in anticipation of making the Ohio North club. He didn’t go out for basketball, a sport he has been playing as long as he has been with soccer, to concentrate on the ODP tryouts.
Zambo’s ultimate goal, he says, is to play college soccer and eventually have a career in Europe with a professional club.
Zambo played three years of club soccer with Excalibur, three years with Pennine United and, most recently, one year with Black River.
In two years as a starter for the EC varsity he had 14 goals and 19 assists. He was second team All-North Coast League and second team All-Lorain County and was twice named honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland.
Contact Steve Byrne at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. 

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