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 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 for April 7-12 was Barron Collier track and field standout Liusmar Rivas Velasquez. At the CCAC meet, Rivas Velasquez took first in the 100 hurdles, second in the 200 and 400, and third in the 400 hurdles.
Question: How early did you get into track and field? What drew you to the sport?
Rivas Velasquez: I started athletics at the age of five.
What has it been like making such a large impact on the team this season?
Rivas Velasquez: It is the fruit of effort and perseverance.
Do you have a ritual or routine before a meet?
Rivas Velasquez: Concentration and discipline before entering the field. God above all else.
Do you have a track and field athlete, current or former, that you look up to?
Rivas Velasquez: My dad and my brother.
If you weren’t doing track and field, what sport would you be playing?
Rivas Velasquez: I like to teach other people; I would be a coach in the discipline of basketball and running.
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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