KAMLOOPS – It doesn't get much more Kamloops than Domenico Comita.
 
Born and raised in the Tournament Capital, the third-year defender for the Thompson Rivers WolfPack men's soccer team embodies the humble but dedicated to excellence mindset that makes this city shine.
 
Coming from a long line of Kamloopsians – both his father and mother work in education in the city – Domenico has taken centre stage as a leader with the WolfPack this season.
 
"It really means a lot," said Comita on getting the chance to represent his hometown. "I grew up watching the WolfPack. I'll always remember being a ball-boy when they won bronze at the national championship in 2017 and ever since then I dreamed of playing for the WolfPack."
 
Comita produced a full-circle moment that will live forever in Kamloops sports history two seasons ago. The former ball-boy turned hero for the university and the city when he fired in the winning penalty shot in front of a capacity crowd at Hillside Stadium to capture the 2022 U SPORTS National Championship title.
 
"It still boggles my mind to this day that it played out the way it did. To think that I was in the stands the first two games, and to see my captain get injured was heartbreaking, but that led to an opportunity for me to play," said Comita of his transformation from healthy scratch in the quarter and semifinal to shootout winner in the championship game. "All of a sudden I'm playing and I didn't even have time to process it at that time, I was just focused on playing. It just ended in the best way possible and I'm just super grateful for that."
 
Now finding himself as one of the few holdovers from that championship squad, Comita makes up the core of a leadership group that also includes locals Jonathan Rinaldi and Elijah Dos Santos. That Kamloops core is a testament to the outstanding work that head coach John Antulov does at the youth level to help develop the future of Kamloops soccer.
 
"I think John does a fantastic job developing players through the Whitecaps Academy," said Comita. "When he asked me if I wanted to sign with TRU, it was a no-brainer for me to stay at home, live with my family and play for a coach that I greatly respect and felt that I could develop under."
 
To further complete the full circle moment of Comita's progression from ball-boy to team leader, he more than appreciates the position he is in to give back to the soccer community that has given him so much.
 
"It's fantastic. For me growing up in Kamloops I was that kid looking up to Finlay McPhie - as well as Josh Banton and Jan Pirretas Glasmacher that I ended up being fortunate enough to play with – to finally see myself giving back to the community and being a player that the younger kids can look up to alongside my teammates, it's a really powerful feeling and I'm super grateful that I can have an impact like that."
 
Holding a record of 1-3 so far this season, Comita and have his teammates have talked about the resilient, grind-it-out attitude so familiar to Kamloops sports that they will have to adopt throughout the remainder of the season.
 
"We are definitely going to have to kick that up a notch if we want to make playoffs and put a dent into Canada West and hopefully U SPORTS Nationals. I strongly believe we do have the players and personnel to be resilient and grind out games."
 
Comita and the 'Pack are at home this weekend for a pair of games inside Hillside Stadium. They will play the MacEwan Griffins on Friday and the MRU Cougars on Saturday with both games scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Prior to the game on Friday the Kamloops KIA Tailgate will take over the parking lot with a BBQ - by donation to the team – an autograph station, face painting and more.
 
"No matter what our team is going to do our best to win our games, so be ready," said Comita.