Bixby’s David Otalvarez

For Bixby High School striker David Otalvarez, the game he loves is defined by moments, and none stands out more than the night he buried a last-minute goal to salvage a draw for the Spartans.

“I play soccer and I’m a striker,” Otalvarez said. “When I scored in the last minute to tie the match, that’s the accomplishment I’m most proud of.” That finish didn’t just change the scoreboard. It reinforced the confidence he has worked hard to rebuild.

Soccer has tested Otalvarez’s belief in himself as much as his footwork and finishing. He said there have been stretches when his confidence dipped, but fighting through those lows has changed how he approaches both the sport and life. “When I lose confidence and gain it back, that helps my mentality be stronger,” he said.

That mindset shows up daily in Bixby’s training sessions, where he hopes fans see more than just goals. Otalvarez said his favorite part of representing Bixby is “to show the way we train hard and how we are a good community.” He takes pride in being part of a program that emphasizes togetherness as much as tactics.

Along the way, he has had people shaping his journey in the classroom and on the field. He points to Ms. Anderson as his favorite teacher “because she was so nice and kind,” a steady presence away from soccer. On the field, teammate Grant has made a lasting impression. “Grant, because his first touch is great,” Otalvarez said. Watching that technical quality up close pushes him to refine his own game.

Like many young attackers, Otalvarez looks up to Cristiano Ronaldo, admiring the superstar’s relentless work habits. “Cristiano Ronaldo, he always in discipline and more,” he said, adding that Ronaldo inspires him “to score.”

He also carries a piece of advice that keeps him grounded through the highs and lows of a long season: “Don’t let your mistakes be the center of your day.” And when he thinks about who has been there from the very beginning, his gratitude is simple and sincere. “Thank you to my dad,” Otalvarez said.

As he continues to lead the line for Bixby, Otalvarez’s story is one of resilience, community and a striker’s belief that the next chance might just be the one that changes everything.