The News-Press 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 news-press.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. The winners of The News-Press Athlete of the Week poll receive a T-shirt from BSN Sports and a tote bag from the USA Today High School Sports Awards. To get to know our winners better, The News-Press will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete.
The News-Press Athlete of the Week winner for March 31-April 5 with 42% of the votes is ECS softball player Anayeli Guzman. The sophomore recorded five hits, including a triple, and drove in eight runs in two wins for the Sentinels last week.
Question: The team has started the season 16-2 coming off last season’s state title. What has been key to the success?
Guzman: A few of our key players left, but I feel like, even though they left, we still have a strong enough team to keep winning. … I feel like our defense is really good right now.
Have you set any goals for yourself this year?
Guzman: I definitely want to make it to states again, and I want to end up with a .500 batting average for the season.
How did you get started playing softball?
Guzman: When I was a kid and my stepdad came into my life, he introduced me to Little League and then we just went from there and kept playing.
What do you like about softball?
Guzman: Honestly, it’s taught me a lot of lessons. Even though it is a sport, I still learn a lot of lessons for it.
What superstitions do you have before a game?
Guzman: Usually, I just pray with my whole team. I feel like every time we pray, it’s just a little good luck.
What advice would you give to a young player coming up in the sport?
Guzman: Always try your hardest, even when you think nobody’s watching. Make sure you’re putting in all the work behind the scenes, even if it’s not noticed.
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