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At times throughout this spring season, Cornerkicks will have players blogging about their experiences. You will hear from high school students playing high school this spring, and you'll hear from high school students playing club this spring.
This second blog is from Waubonsie Valley's Bri Rodriguez, who is playing for the Warriors this spring. The junior is considered by many to be one of the top players in the country. She also plays for Eclipse Select in the high school offseason.
Feel free to post a question for Bri, and she will try to respond to it in her next blog. Lake Zurich's Katie Uyenishi will write her second blog next week, as Cornerkicks brings you blogs you won't find anywhere else.
And with that said, here's Bri Rodriguez:
Hi everyone! My name is Bri Rodriguez and I am a junior at WaubonsieValley.
I have been playing soccer for 12 years now, and it has givenme the greatest opportunities and memories of my life. I started outplaying for Team Chicago the first 10 years, and for the past two years I have been on Eclipse Select. I have also played on the State, Regional, and U-15 and U-16 National teams at one point or another.
Every team brought different girls, coaches, and all kinds of new experiences. This year I have decided once again, to play for Waubonsie Valley in the spring. With being defending, undefeated state champions, there is no doubt that everyone is out to get us. Looking at the big picture, it really can’t get much better than last year. But this year we are going to take it one game at a time and definitely have set a goal to repeat.
Losing eight seniors from last year is one of the obstacles that we're going to have to get through to do this. We have new leaders, and many new players who will make a huge impact. We’re still a very skilled team with a great work ethic, and we have been looking forward to this season since last season ended.
Since last June, I can’t even count the number of times I have been asked, “So are you going to play high school or club next year?”Although it took until January to tell my club coaches that I was going to play high school, it was never really a question to me. I’m with Eclipse all-year round, but as soon as spring comes around, I know that it’s high school season. I’m the youngest of five kids, and I can’t really remember the last time my whole family saw me play a club game because we are always out of town.
High school season to me is a chance to play for them, for my school and for everyone that comes out to the games. Looking into the stands last year during the state championship game and seeing 3,272 crazy fans, all painted and screaming was one of the greatest memories of my life. Some say they aren’t going to play because “the training isn’t as good,” but to me you get out of training what you put in.
If anyone can’t make a decision between high school and club, my advice would be to play for your school. I understand each player has to decide what is best for them, but those four years are going to go by pretty fast, and you’re never going to know what you’ve missed out on.
I'll talk to you next week - Bri.
- Joe Trost
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Bri,
Great blog..... didn't know what to expect with high school kids having blogs about themselves, but I will tell you that i will read yours everytime. Being a H.S. coach and having played at a pretty high level, it is great to see a young women like yourself, who speaks from the heart about not only her soccer experience, but providing advice for younger girls who may face the same decision. You seem to have a great head on your shoulders and I wish you nothing but continued success throughout the season and your career!!!!
Wow. How nice to hear a high school student that truly gets it and does not consider herself too good to play high school. Way to go Bri Rodriguez. How refreshing!
I agree with the two previous bloggers. Bri, in my humble opinion, you get it. As a HS coach and former club coach I totally agree with your sentiment. I wish more had your maturity. What I loved most about your comments is your view about training and practice. I don't care who your coach is, it has to come from within.
Good luck this season.
Bri,
You are truly one in a million and always remember how proud your family is of you. Study hard,practice hard and stay grounded and there is no telling how far you can go on this adventure. Continued sucess with both your teams. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
I think this blog is a great idea. I am sure this will be very helpful for all the girls that will have to make their own decision in the future. I have just a few questions for you. When you were trying to make your decison, did you feel any pressure from teammates, coaches, or parents? If so, how did you handle that? Do you think your club teammates and coaches will treat you differently when you go back after the high school season? Knowing how important chemistry is in team sports, do you think taking time away from the team helps or hurts it? Finally, how many girls from your team made the decision to stay with club and how many chose high school? I agree with the oter comments that you are an amazing young lady and I am sure your parents are very proud of your accomplishments. Best of luck this high school season and take the time to enjoy it because it does go by fast.
Bri,
First of all, I just want to say you are an amazing soccer player! Though I'm older than you, I feel that you are a great role model for any soccer player who wishes to persue her dreams.
I do have one question, did you ever play any other sports? If so, when did you choose soccer and why? I could not give up my successful swimming career in order to play high level club soccer; sometimes I wonder what could have been.
Best of luck in all of your endeavors!
Thankyou very much for the compliments. And to answer your question, yes, i played other sports. When i was younger i played soccer, basketball and softball. I continued to play basketball throughout my freshman year, and the summer after with my AAU team. Sophomore year i decided not to play, and just to focus on soccer. I realized that soccer was in my future, and although I loved basketball it just wasn't going to happen for my 5"2 self. I was considering playing basketball my senior year, but now that i have recently tore my ACL, that isn't going to happen anymore. If your swimming career is successful like you say it is, then im sure you made the right decision. I always like to look back and wish I would of still played basketball, but then I look at where soccer has taken me and I am happy with my decision, as I hope you are too!
-Bri
hey bri-rod, whats up? you did an amazing job this year! im sorry to hear about what happened before state! just keep pulling through you did great.