Whittier junior Jacob Bradwell is meticulous about the fit, feel and performance of his soccer cleats.
So much so that he said he has spent approximately $5,000 on cleats over the past three years.
While scoring an area-high 26 goals this fall, he primarily wore Adidas F-50s, which he said were $265, and Adidas Predators, which he said were $200.
He cut lawns. He worked at Market Basket. He always saved to buy more and more pairs.
"I've always thought, 'Oh, maybe this cleat will help me do better.' Or 'Oh, this cleat will help me do this,'" said the Golden Boot award winner. "So I was always trying to look for the better cleat."
But Bradwell's thoughts no longer are focused on buying the next top-of-the line cleat.
"I stopped (buying them) when I moved here," said Bradwell as he stood in the kitchen of his new family's home and added that he knows he must be more prudent now that he no longer lives with his mother.
Bradwell's mother Sandra Barton informed her son last spring — about a month before school let out for the summer — that she was returning to live in South Carolina, where she has spent much of her life and still has family. Bradwell, meanwhile, was determined to stay in Haverhill despite his mother wanting him to go with her.
"I started thinking right then, 'What do I have to do to figure this out so I (can stay)?'" Bradwell said. "I talked to some people who went through it and then I talked to Tracy."
Tracy Casullo is the mother of Alicia Casullo, one of Bradwell's best friends at Whittier. Bradwell spent a great deal of time at the Casullo house last school year and had grown close with the whole family.
So he asked Tracy if he could stay with them.
Tracy, Alicia and Tracy's 13-year-old son agreed to welcome in Bradwell.
Bradwell has adjusted well. He's doing better in school than before. He said he enjoys his new home and has made more friends at school. And he definitely had a successful soccer season this fall. His 26 goals — 18 more than he scored last year — led all area scorers.
"There was no way he was going to go back there (South Carolina)," Tracy said.
Determined to stay
Bradwell originally had lived in South Carolina with his father, who he said he no longer speaks with. Bradwell said he moved here to live with his mother about seven years ago.
Bradwell wanted to stay near his stepfather and his half brother, who lives with his own father in Derry. Bradwell also wanted to continue to attend Whittier.
"And I work really hard to play soccer here," he said. "And I want to finish that here."
Barton's decision to move came during the time she and Bradwell's stepfather divorced.
"I just didn't agree with my mom because I have two years left in high school and my younger brother had two years left in middle school," he said. "She could've waited. ... We're her kids. We come first in her life and that's what should've been done."
Barton added: "One thing about Jake is that he can be very blunt about how he feels."
Barton wanted to live closer to her relatives and also decided to return to help take care of two of her grandparents who she said have Alzheimer's.
Barton accepted her son's decision to remain here partly because Bradwell has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Barton felt it would be best for him to stay at Whittier, where he feels comfortable and has succeeded academically.
Difficult move
Bradwell shoved 20 or so pairs of cleats in a duffel bag — and packed his clothes, bed, computer television, posters, and trophies — and moved in with the Casullos.
"It was just emotional," he said. "You go through times because you miss everybody."
Bradwell's sister moved to South Carolina a couple years ago to attend college.
Bradwell, who has his own bedroom at the Casullos, plans to stay until he graduates in 2011.
"This is the first season where I've missed a game or a practice," Barton said. "It's absolutely tough. ... And it's hard (for him). ... But he's doing great."
Tracy added: "There's never a dull moment with him around."
Bradwell mentioned he has been working hard to act more maturely after getting into many arguments and fights with classmates and even being suspended from school last year.
But he is friendly with everyone at school now and his grades have improved, he said. He said he made the honor roll this past semester.
Bradwell and Barton send each other about 20 to 30 text messages each day and talk about once or twice a week on the telephone about soccer and life. Bradwell added he no longer talks with her about the move. He said everything is positive.
Cleats collector
Barton sends child support but Bradwell knows that he must be more responsible and cut down on his everyday costs now.
He is not going to play in his winter soccer league, which he said would cost $2,000.
He also has to be less picky about his cleats.
"Financially, it's hard for me to get as many cleats (as before)," he said.
Bradwell had bought approximately 50 pairs of cleats over the past three years. He went through about seven different pairs during his freshman high school season alone.
He's bought every pair of Adidas F-50s ever made.
"No one I know owns that many," he said. "Everyone asks if they can have my cleats."
He has given away about 30 or so pairs to friends.
He said when he has more room in the future he might line the remaining pairs on display.
Right now he is happy for the small room and big opportunity the Casullo family has given.
"I love 'em," Bradwell said.
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