By Matt Nimmerichter (Whetstone staff writer)

Former Wesley student and soccer player Oscar Juvera died Sept. 24 during a school trip in Utah.

Juvera, 20, drowned while swimming in the Sand Hollow Reservoir in St. George.

Juvera played on the men’s soccer team during his two years at Wesley.

He started attending Wesley as a freshman in August 2008, and helped lead the team to the conference finals that year.

“He loved the sport of soccer,” said Steve Clark, coach of the men’s soccer team. “He loved to play and train with the team.  His style and appearance reminded me a little of the famous French international Thierry Henry, and his last goal scored here was a wonderful shot from 20 yards to seal a victory against Hood College.”

His friends also remembered him as the kind of person who put their needs before his own.

“Oscar treated me like I was his actual brother,” said Chris Phillips, a friend of Juvera.

Phillips had visited Arizona with Juvera, and while there was injured and needed medical attention.

He never left my side, Phillips said.

“It was almost like I was part of the family,” he said. “His parents were the same way.”

One of the reasons Juvera transferred was to be closer to his family and three-year-old sister, Mia, who live in Arizona.

He had transferred to Dixie College in Utah, and was a graduate of Bradshaw Mountain High School.

“Mia always held a special place in Oscar’s heart,” Phillips said. “They were so close.”

They would have Web cam conversations almost every night, he said.

Juvera died at 8:45 p.m. at the Dixie Regional Medical Center.

He is survived by his parents Maria and Oscar Juvera, and his siblings, including Lilia Brekke, a senior at Wesley.