Every month, we commemorate student-athletes, one boy and one girl, demonstrating excellence in their sport. This October, we have chosen senior Allison Gonzalez.
Although this is Gonzalez’s last year at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, it is her first year on the Birmingham Community Charter High School lacrosse team. Currently, Gonzalez’s season has not yet started and they are solely focused on practicing for their season starting in spring.
Q: How long have you been playing lacrosse?
A: I’ve been playing lacrosse since the summer.
Q: How hard was it to get into the sport?
A: It wasn’t that difficult because I had my friend with me, so we both got to learn it together. It was just figuring out the basics that was difficult. Other than that, you make progress every day.
Q: What made you get into lacrosse over the summer?
A: I wanted to do something else for my senior year and seeing the flyers up in the halls made me realize I should just play a sport. Lacrosse was the only one I saw, so I decided to do it.
Q: What do you enjoy about lacrosse?
I enjoy interacting with others and talking to new players and my new teammates.
Q: What do you hope to improve in?
A: I hope to improve in communicating with my team and also participating more, as in improving my skills so that I get the ball passed more to me.
Q: What did you struggle with in lacrosse?
A: I struggled with catching the ball, especially, and I still do. But I think it’s an improvement every day, especially when I’m going to practice consistently.
Q: How have you improved overall?
A: I think I’ve improved pretty well. People usually say that they thought I had played lacrosse before. I think it’s because during the summer, me and my friend would go to practice two times a week for a good month and a half.
Q: What do you struggle with as a student-athlete?
A: I struggle with the timing of everything, especially since I’m here at Daniel Pearl and Birmingham because the schedule is different. We either come to practice completely late or we don’t have enough time to do anything. I feel that conflicts with my improvement because I’m not able to go to practice every single time.
Q: What motivates you during lacrosse?
A: The amount of time and work I’ve put into lacrosse, I want to be able to show that when I’m playing.
Q: What are you excited about for your future in lacrosse?
A: I’m excited to play actual games with my teammates.
Q: Will you continue the sport in the future?
A: Possibly, especially since I’m a senior. This is my last year being able to play it as a high school sport. I might take up a club if there is one in college or anything, just to maintain my lacrosse skills.
