Ready, Set, Goal!
Faith Jensen
Faith Jensen
Soccer is the sport of champions. These athletes train hours after school and on their own time. They have weekends full of tournaments. They rarely have time to hang out with friends outside of soccer. They are so committed to the sport they love. Soccer players work their whole lives to get where they are. Kaya Brock, a sophomore soccer player, says she has played, “Since I was three years old, so 13 years.” They have to train year round to prepare for the season. “I run three to five miles a day.”, says Alex Brahm, a sophomore soccer player.
These athletes grow up around soccer and they stick with it through everything. Josh Najjar, a sophomore soccer player, says, “I don't really know, I just started playing and never stopped.”, when asked why he started playing soccer.
They have to balance school as well as being an athlete. “Sometimes, it depends on what classes I am taking. If I am taking my honors classes then it is a little bit of a struggle, but if I am just taking my on level classes then it is pretty easy and I can get through it.”, says Kaya Brock, when asked if it is hard for her to balance school with soccer.
Soccer players have a lot of responsibility. They play for their school and they also play for a club team, so they have to manage playing well for both of their teams. Josh Najjar says, “I play for SSA, Southern Soccer Academy, as well as the school.”
In soccer, there are many different positions to play. They have at least 10 people on the field working together to score a goal and win the game. “I play center man. That is my favorite position because I get to attack and defend.”, says Josh Najjar.
This sport is also very dangerous. Athletes will go through many different injuries such as concussions, knee problems, neck issues, and much more. Kaya Brock says, “Several, 3 concussions, 1 rotated shoulder, tendinitis in the knee, vertebra out of place, and pulled muscles in my neck which lead to a neck brace for a month.”, when asked if she has been injured before.
Soccer is a trying sport, but all the injuries and time commitment is worth it to these athletes. They go through highs and lows of losing and winning games. It is upsetting but rewarding. Even though it is hard, these athletes are doing what they love, and that is all that matters.
These athletes grow up around soccer and they stick with it through everything. Josh Najjar, a sophomore soccer player, says, “I don't really know, I just started playing and never stopped.”, when asked why he started playing soccer.
They have to balance school as well as being an athlete. “Sometimes, it depends on what classes I am taking. If I am taking my honors classes then it is a little bit of a struggle, but if I am just taking my on level classes then it is pretty easy and I can get through it.”, says Kaya Brock, when asked if it is hard for her to balance school with soccer.
Soccer players have a lot of responsibility. They play for their school and they also play for a club team, so they have to manage playing well for both of their teams. Josh Najjar says, “I play for SSA, Southern Soccer Academy, as well as the school.”
In soccer, there are many different positions to play. They have at least 10 people on the field working together to score a goal and win the game. “I play center man. That is my favorite position because I get to attack and defend.”, says Josh Najjar.
This sport is also very dangerous. Athletes will go through many different injuries such as concussions, knee problems, neck issues, and much more. Kaya Brock says, “Several, 3 concussions, 1 rotated shoulder, tendinitis in the knee, vertebra out of place, and pulled muscles in my neck which lead to a neck brace for a month.”, when asked if she has been injured before.
Soccer is a trying sport, but all the injuries and time commitment is worth it to these athletes. They go through highs and lows of losing and winning games. It is upsetting but rewarding. Even though it is hard, these athletes are doing what they love, and that is all that matters.