Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

The Kent Reporter athletes of the week for the week of Oct. 25 are from Kentwood; Nebay Kidane (Jr.) Cross Country, Maimuna Kora (Sr.) volleyball.

What do you value in your sport or about your team?

Kora: Something I’ve learned to value through the sport and through the team is the friendships I’ve made through my time playing. As a team we are very close and I’ve made some of my best friends through volleyball.

Kidane:One thing I value about the team is our ability to encourage each other. We are all constantly supporting and rooting for one another and it has helped us bond and become really close. Practice has begun to feel like a bunch of friends hanging out together, which has made the sport a lot more enjoyable.

What have you learned from your sport that you can take with you throughout your life/future?

Kora: Volleyball has taught me on and off the court that communication is a necessity. I know throughout life I will take the skills I’ve learned from volleyball such as communication and teamwork with me and apply it to my future. Some of those still I already use today and I have volleyball to thank for that!

Kidane: Cross country requires a strong sense of discipline in order to be successful. Training six days a week for a large majority of the year can be very draining, both physically and mentally. Over the years, the constant training has left me more disciplined, not just in running, but in other aspects of my life, such as school. It has taught me how to persevere through hard times and overcome obstacles.

What do you do when you aren’t motivated and what helps you stay motivated?

Kora: What helps me when I don’t feel motivated is remembering how great as a team it feels when we do win! Our team had a hard start to the season but if anything, I believe it motivated us more because all we wanted to do was get better.

Kidane: I am not the most motivated person in the world, so motivation has often been a struggle for me. There isn’t anything in particular that I do to combat this, I just ignore myself and continue to show up to practice. What helps me stay motivated, though, are my teammates. Their support and encouragement aids in growing confidence in my ability, which makes me excited to continue improving.

Do you have a favorite pre-game meal?

Kora: I wouldn’t call it a meal but every time before a game an energy drink is needed!

Kidane: My favorite pre-race meal would have to be pasta.

What advice would you give to a teammate that is struggling?

Kora: Some advice I would give to a teammate that was struggling is to reset and move on to the next ball. AS a team our biggest focus has been to start every point like it is a new one, so that we don’t carry our mistakes with us and continue to play our best after every point!

Kidane: Some advice I would give to a teammate is to take everything as a learning experience and focus more on the process as opposed to the outcome. Focusing solely on the outcome gives too much leeway for disappointment in the end, so take the opportunity to learn from your failures, rather than letting it dictate your worth or athletic ability. Stay positive and stay persistent.

From the sidelines:

Kora: Muna has led our defense all season. She continues to pass and play defense at a high level which allows our team to be successful. She was voted captain by her teammates for her Leadership in our Program. She is leading our team in Digs and Serve Receive percentage as well as holds one of the highest serving percentage on our team.

Kidane: Nebay’s dedication and exceptional talent have made him a cornerstone of our team since he first joined as a freshman. Each year, he surpasses our expectations with his unwavering commitment to the sport of running. As a silent leader, Nebay has always led by example, but this year, as one of our team captains, he has truly embraced his role, elevating his leadership to new heights.