The Kent Reporter athletes of the week for the week of Feb. 21 are from Kent-Meridian; Bryanna Zhunio-Chevez (So.) cheer, Adonai Garza (Jr.) wrestling.
What do you value in your sport or about your team?
Zhunio-Chevez: One thing I value about my sport is my coaches and all the good memories I have made with my team. Which I never expected to be in cheer.
Garza: I like the atmosphere of my team and putting time and effort into good results.
What have you learned from your sport that you can take with you throughout your life/future?
Zhunio-Chevez: One thing I’ve learned about my sport is always put all the effort in your passion. As of right now, mine is cheer. I’m doing everything I can to make my team proud, especially for nationals.
Garza: That if you want something, then you have to work for it. Not only that, you also want to believe in yourself so that you can get there.
What do you do when you aren’t motivated and what helps you stay motivated?
Zhunio-Chevez: One thing that helps me stay motivated is my family because the Bryanna a year ago today didn’t want to do anything. She didn’t care about school and her family, brought her up and believed in her when no one else did.
Garza: When I am not feeling motivated, I usually talk to my dad or mom. They always seem to have an answer. I also will have a small prayer.
Do you have a favorite pre-game meal?
Zhunio-Chevez: This may be weird, but I always eat ice either a couple minutes before or on the way.
Garza: Chicken alfredo
What advice would you give to a teammate that is struggling?
Zhunio-Chevez: Don’t give up! This may be obvious but actually don’t give up because you are capable of doing everything you want to do.
Garza: Don’t give up, even if it gets rough. When something is hard and challenges, it builds you into a better person. If everything was so easy, everybody would do it.
From the sidelines:
Zhunio-Chevez: Bryanna joined our team later in the season but it feels like she’s been with us since day 1. She is fiercely determined to better herself every single day both on and off the mat. Since day 1 she has made an effort to catch up on material in the gym and in the classroom. She’s made great strides in her academics and has proven day after day that she was meant to be a Royal cheerleader.
Garza: Adonai reached the 100 wins milestone midway this season. He is a hard-working wrestler and he is a running start student athlete. Adonai is a captain of the wrestling team at KM and he is a very respectful young man. His leadership at KM is very noticeable across the campus as a student athlete. He has placed second and third already at the state tournament with two more times to go.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
