This week’s Farmer Focus is on junior Allison Anguiano who is currently a member of the LHS soccer team.

SNAPSHOTS

Favorite artist: AWOLNATION

Favorite soccer team: Barcelona

Favorite TV show: The Middle

Favorite candy: Hershey Chocolate

Pet peeve: When someone tells you to do something and they don’t do it themselves.

ZOOMING IN

Q: How did you get interested in soccer?

A: “I started playing soccer when I was about 7 years old. When I was younger I was always a competitive kid. Anything I would do would be a competition.”

Q: What attributes do you think someone needs to have to play soccer?

A: “Well you have to be aggressive, or you will get killed otherwise. You have to be able to work with other people because it’s a team effort. Also a great attitude is key in soccer.”

Q: What is one of the biggest challenges you had in soccer?

A: “I’m always afraid I’ll burn out because I play too much. Then sometimes you forget why you’re here in the first place. You lose your focus; one year I was got so stressed out that I threatened to quit, but I had to remember why I play and the passion I have for the sport.”

Q: How does soccer help you personally?

A: “It’s a good way to release anger. When you run and side tackle it’s the best stress reliever. The aggression part of soccer is what helps me the most. I’m the type of person to keep things bottled up and soccer helps me release it.”

Q: How do you manage between academics and soccer?

A: “Academics will always come first. If I have a test I really need to study for I will ask my coach if I could skip practice and be able to study. My coach is really lenient about that kind of stuff. AP classes do not make it harder because personally I think I’m always on top of things.”

Q: Who inspires you to play soccer?

A: “I guess my dad. My dad is like the soccer dad you see in the movies. Like if I ever went to the Olympics I would say “thanks dad!” He was the one to always take me to practice. He was always the one to encourage me with words to help me. He was also the one to sign me up. He is the one who started it all.”

Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t playing soccer?

A: “I have no idea, probably nothing. If I wasn’t playing soccer I would be playing volleyball. With no athletics I would be more interested in art I guess. If I’m not the stereotypical athletic girl I’d be the creative one.”

Q: What makes you motivated to play?

A: “Right now what keeps me going is college. All I can think about is getting in. Sometimes I still feel the passion when I side tackle someone and I still get that feeling and that’s motivation right there. But my main goal and focus is my future.”

Q: Will you continue playing soccer after high school?

A: “Yeah I see myself playing in soccer games. But if I could rank my priorities in college, soccer would come second next to academics. I would do soccer on the side, it would be my way to get into college. Playing soccer would be my ticket.”

Q: What advice do you have for a young person who’s taking on soccer?

A: “If you’re not having fun, don’t do it. There is no point in forcing somebody to do something that you’re not passionate about. Also have a good attitude when you play soccer, your attitude is key in a game.”