What are your plans after high school?
After high school, I plan to attend Drake University to study biology and then pursue a career in the medical field. I will also be playing soccer at Drake.
What has been the best moment so far in your high school career?
The best moment so far in my high school career was when my team won the game that qualified us for state my freshman year. It was a big moment for all of us because there haven’t been many Linn-Mar girls soccer teams that have made it to state. It was a goal of ours for the entire season and after we won that game, we made it happen.
How has covid affected your training and practices?
Covid has affected my training and practices because we never know when we might be shut down to quarantine. This means that everyday, we give 100% effort because the season is so unpredictable. One day we could be practicing together, and the next day we could all be working out separately to stay in shape until we can get back together again. When the pandemic first started, I unfortunately missed out on a chance to play for the Midwest Region ODP team in London because the event was cancelled. This has made me realize how important it is to be responsible so that my team does not miss out on any games due to quarantine.
How has participating in sports helped you grow as a student and person?
Participating in sports has helped me grow as a student and person because it has taught me how to manage my time and work hard to achieve my goals. I have learned the importance of preparation, leadership, and how to work effectively with others.
What are the top 3 skills you have learned as an athlete?
The top 3 skills I have learned as an athlete are teamwork, coachability, and resilience. Working together as a team is important in every aspect of life. Being coachable is essential in order to learn and improve. Resilience is also important because if you are having a bad game, you need to be able to bounce back and stay confident in your skills.
Who is someone that inspires you and why?
Someone who inspires me is my Grandma Jean because she taught me to do my best and to never give up. She fought breast cancer without complaint or self pity for 17 years before she lost her battle in 2017, she was the strongest woman I have ever known. She came to watch all of my games to support me, even when she wasn’t feeling well.
What lessons will you take with you in the future that you learned from coaches and teammates?
A lesson I have learned that I will take with me in the future is that a team means that everyone needs to work together to achieve common goals. The team doesn’t work if it is made up of many individuals going in separate directions, no matter how good they are. I also learned that you have to trust your skills and take some chances without fearing failure.
What is your favorite part about being a high school athlete?
My favorite part about being a high school athlete is the bonds that I have made with my teammates. It is so special that as a senior, I have been able to grow close with so many people who are both older and younger than me.
What is one word you would use to describe you and why?
One word I would use to describe myself is committed because I am always there for my team no matter what. I am always working hard to make myself and everyone else on the team better every day.
- Spotlight written by Ammanda Burghduff, Waukee APEX Associate
IGHSAU Student-Athlete Spotlights are created by high school students in Waukee High School's APEX program. The IGHSAU is thankful for its partnership with Waukee APEX to create meaningful content to share with our member schools, student-athletes, coaches, and fans. To learn more about Waukee APEX, click here.