Each month, the coaches from the selected athletic teams choose a senior of their pick, who they strongly believe is their athlete of the month. The qualities a coach looks for in this decision are leadership, hard work, good sportsmanship, and one that gives their best effort every day. Girls’ and boys’ soccer were selected as the athletic teams this month. Leah Kaufman represents girls’ soccer, and Brayden McCourt represents boys’ soccer.
Girls’ Soccer: Leah Kaufman
Q: Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?
A: “Yes, I have a lot: using the same hair-tie, taking my Apple watch off and putting my earrings on it, wearing the same earrings, putting the wrapper of the mints in my right cleat, and handshakes.”
Q: What is your favorite song to listen to on away-game bus rides?
A: “I don’t have a specific song. I listen to a rock genre.”
Q: What is your favorite pre-game snack and/or drink?
A: “Snack: Chips”
A: “Drink: Body Armour or Gatorade”
Q: What is your favorite motivational quote?
A: “’Success comes from pushing yourself beyond your limits and never giving up, no matter how tough it gets,’ by Ken Block.”
Q: What advice would you give to younger players?
A: “Keep pushing through, no matter how difficult it gets. Give it your all and dominate.”
Q: Do you plan to play soccer in college?
A: “I might play club soccer at the most, I plan on going to a D1 school.”
Q: Which college are you looking to attend and what is your current major of interest?
A: “Penn State main to major in Plant Science and minor in Agronomy”
Q: How many years have you played soccer?
A: “13 years”
Q: How many hours of sleep do you try and get the night before your game?
A: “It doesn’t matter, I don’t go to bed at any certain time, I go to bed after I finish homework and barn work.”
Boys’ Soccer: Brayden McCourt
Q: Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?
A: “Before the game, I always pray.”
Q: What is your favorite song to listen to on away-game bus rides?
A: “’9′ by Drake”
Q: What is your favorite pre-game snack and/or drink?
A: “Any drink with electrolytes”
Q: What is your favorite motivational quote?
A: “It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, it’s the amount of times you can get back up that matters.”
Q: What advice would you give to younger players?
A: “Work hard at everything you do.”
Q: Do you plan to play soccer in college?
A: “I plan to go on to college and play college basketball.”
Q: Which college are you looking to attend and what is your current major of interest?
A: “I’m still looking at colleges, but I want to major in environmental science and minor in business.”
Q: What is the best advice a coach has ever given you?
A: “To be successful you have to not only work hard but stay consistent.”
Q: How many years have you played Soccer?
A: “I’ve played soccer since AYSO.”
Q: How many hours of sleep do you try and get the night before your game?
A: “I try to get at least seven hours of sleep.”
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