News-Press selects athletes who stand out before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations and our coverage submitted to Sports@news-press.com. These athletes are voted every Monday at News-press.com and as our readers, you vote for the person you think you did it the best. Winners of the News-Press Athlete of the Week poll sponsored by Elevate Home Services will receive a BSN Sports T-shirt and a USA Today High School Sports Awards tote bag. To better understand the winners, the News Press will have a Q&A session with each athlete.
The news press athlete sponsored by the winner of Elevate Home Services from February 10-15 was Canterbury footballer Mackenzie Morina with 37.5% of the vote. The junior scored two goals in the Cougars’ 4-0 regional playoff victory.
Question: Your team reached the regional final and had their best season since 2020-21. What can you say about what you have achieved?
Molina: In addition to the losses, I’m really proud of all the accomplishments this season. In other words, I’ve come to the programme so far. I know that Alyssa (Loguercio, senior captain) came when it was like being on the ground. So we can’t say anything about the seasons we had and everything we did.
What are your future goals and team?
Molina: Some of the goals are clearly winning the district again, perhaps reaching the regional final and winning the regional final. But yeah, keep everything you did this year and build on it.
Are there any superstitions or things you do to prepare for the game?
Molina: There are small ones, but I always wear the right socks in front of the right. Otherwise, you’ll take off your socks and try again. And bring a specific pair of spandex before the game and make sure I wear it.
Many young athletes join the team and middle school students in Canterbury. What advice would you give them to help them play at varsity level?
Molina: I have more experience with the team and just listen to older people like my seniors. Because we don’t say anything to lead them in the wrong direction. We have been in their situation before and we just want to help them. We just want to help them grow as players. I’m just listening to the captain and the coach.
What was your most memorable moment playing for Canterbury so far?
Molina: Perhaps we’ve won the district just because we’ve been really tough situations and we’ve been in the game. We’ve seen how far we’ve got as a team.
