The Kent Reporter athletes of the week for the week of Jan. 17 are from Kentwood; Kaitlyn Vert (Sr.) flag football, Lee’Andrew Rubin (Jr.) wrestling.
What do you value in your sport or about your team?
Vert: The biggest thing I value about this sport is the respect, hard work and kindness that everyone has on and off the field no matter at practice or even in a game playing another team there is always that feeling of hard work and mutual respect. I also value my team for how close we are and how much we truly care about this sport and the hard work that we put in day in and day out.
Rubin: The things I value most in my team is the connections we have and our coaches. Wrestling is an individual sport you don’t have your team to help you win on the mat but every time I wrestle I know that my team is behind me with so much support.
What have you learned from your sport that you can take with you throughout your life/future?
Vert:I have learned how to be a good leader by helping my teammates learn the game and lead them through warm-ups. I have also learned respect. Respect is something that is important to me because as an athlete you need to respect your teammates, coaches, refs and even the game. Flag football has also taught me kindness and to care for those around you.
Rubin: Wrestling showed me that you always have the choice to keep going. Wrestling is one of if not the most mentally taxing things I have done in my life. Each round you have to make the choice to keep going or your going to lose. I see my mindset has changed so much already from it.
What do you do when you aren’t motivated and what helps you stay motivated?
Vert:Very rarely I am not motivated but when I am not, I remind myself of how far I have come and how hard I work, and it usually makes me motivated because I want to make my pass and present self-played. I stay motivated by continuing to work hard and surround myself with teammates and coaches who push me to get better and work hard every single day.
Rubin: I watch matches that I have lost before. I want to be undefeated and win state and watching those matches shows me that I have not hit those goals and I shouldn’t be resting.
Do you have a favorite pre-game meal?
Vert:Favorite pre-game meal is something that is healthy and gives me energy to play and strength to play through the game to my full protentional.
Rubin: My favorite pregame meals are Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches by far.
What advice would you give to a teammate that is struggling?
Vert: Advice I would give to a teammate is “I see how hard you are working and I believe in you and your skills”. I would also say “keep working as hard as you can and keep being you and eventually you will achieve your goals and get better everyday”
Rubin: My best advice would be, just keep pushing. You can’t avoid getting burnt out when there are so many matches and practices. Everyone has wanted to quit at one point so lean on your teammates.
From the sidelines:
Vert: Kaitlyn Vert is our solo senior returner from our inaugural season last year. We believe that the positive influential character that Vert possesses while representing our program is a part of the reasons as to why our program has more then doubled in participation. Vert has become a skilled defensive back for us where she shows 110% effort and efficacy. With flag football being a new sport, there currently isn’t a true stats system in play, but if there was, there is no doubt that Kaitlyn Vert’s name would be in the top tier. Not only is Vert a force on the field, she is a great leader with a kind heart that immediately captured the respect from the entire team. Kaitlyn Vert is a great talent, a great leader and a great citizen within our community.
Rubin: Lee’Andrew is carrying a 17-6 record and went 8-0 at the Northwest Dual Tournament in Albany, Oregon.
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