Each week during the school year the Naples Daily News selects athletes that stood out the week before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to [email protected] and our coverage. Those athletes are put in a poll each Monday on naplesnews.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. The winners of the Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week poll sponsored by Elevate Home Services receive a T-shirt provided by BSN Sports and a tote bag provided by USA Today High School Sports Awards. To get to know our winners better, the Naples Daily News will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete weekly.
The Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week sponsored by Elevate Home Services for Jan. 27-Feb. 1 was St. John Neumann girls soccer player Marcela Leon. To be nominated, Leon scored the game-winning goal against First Baptist in the District 1A-12 championship, securing a majority of the vote.
Question: How early did you get into soccer? What drew you to the sport?
Leon: I got into soccer when I was around 4-5. I was always exposed to soccer when I was younger by my dad, and I was really competitive so I knew I would’ve liked soccer.
What’s been a highlight of your soccer career thus far?
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Leon: I have a couple highlights in my career. My best ones would probably be the shot I did against FBA that ended up going viral or the last minute winning shot to win us the district championship.
Do you have any routine or rituals you do prior to a game?
Leon: I do have a routine, I usually like to either take a nap or listen to music before the game because usually I have a lot of extra time to wait for us to get warmed up, and I also try to make sure to not use my phone at least an hour before the game so I don’t get distracted.
Is there a soccer player from the U.S. or abroad you look up to or enjoy watching?
Leon: I look up to Cristiano Ronaldo. He was always my favorite soccer player and the player that I wanted to become like. He’s confident and he never lets the mistakes get to him.
If you weren’t playing soccer, what sport would you be partaking in and why?
Leon: If I wasn’t playing soccer, I don’t know if I would play another sport. My heart has always been about soccer and I don’t see myself playing another sport.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
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