Embracing new experiences: Latvian exchange student has taken to Tiger football

Organized football was an entirely new concept for Douglas' Deivids Balevics, who came over to Minden from Dobele, Latvia, this summer.

Learning the plays in a sport he had never competed in has been a challenge for the Tiger junior, but he feels the best part has been his ability to connect with teammates that have also turned into new friends.

"I love the team. I have made friends fast. They have been helping me through a lot," said Balevics. "I did not plan on playing football. I saw the opportunity and I went for it because I thought it would be fun."

He's been a delight to his teammates and coaching staff, who have raved about his attitude and effort since he joined the squad.

"He's one of those fun kids to be around. He says things that just make kids laugh," said Douglas defensive coordinator Ryan Moglich. "He doesn't take himself too seriously and I think he has been a very welcome addition to the program. We could use a lot of Deivids and I can't say enough about the kid."

LIVING IN THE U.S.

Dobele is just about two hours inland from the Baltic Sea and about 40 minutes north of the border with Lithuania.

Balevics said Gardnerville and Minden present a lot of the same small-town charm that he grew up used too.

"Our town is smaller. We have a lot of the same stuff but I'd say it's more forest," said Balevics.

Outside of football, Balevics said skiing has been one of the best parts about his adjustment to Northern Nevada.

He said there are two local resorts near his hometown, but they are pretty flat compared to what's offered in the Sierra.

Northern Nevada also has a lot more sunshine than his hometown.

Living stateside has given him a chance to start driving earlier than usual. In Latvia, Balevics said he isn't able to get his driver's license until he turns 18.

However, he's been driving himself to school after getting his license in Nevada.

"Back there everyone walks to school because it's like a mile away. Here I would have to drive 20 minutes to school," said Balevics. "I drive up Kingsbury every day."

He didn't have to adjust to learning how to drive on the opposite side of the road, but there's been other adjustments for him when it comes to school.

"We don't have Chromebooks and we only learned from books," Balevics said.

HOCKEY BACKGROUND

As far as sports go, Balevics grew up with a hockey background, so learning football plays has been challenging, but adjusting to the physicality has been straightforward.

As summer practices went on, the coaching staff could see the concepts beginning to click for the newest member of the sport.

"The physicality part he gets," said Moglich. "You can kind of see that light bulb go off for him and it's really cool."

Balevics recorded four tackles this fall, but one moment in particular against McQueen jumped off the page to the coaching staff.

"You can see against McQueen on that last drive he had a big hit and the kids got excited for him. The kids really gravitate to him," said Moglich. "We call him the Latvian Terror."

Balevics leads the scout team for the Tigers and said that practices have been one of his favorite parts of playing football.

"When I came here everyone was playing for two years already. So I had to catch up with all the plays and names. That's pretty hard," said Balevics. "My favorite part would be practices, spending the time and showing out what we've worked hard for in front of everyone."

The chance to play a new, organized sport and make friends while doing so has been a treat for the Latvian native.

"I want to mention coach (Kyle) Mays for letting me in on this opportunity and helping me out through the journey," said Balevics.