When a journalist is describing a big sports moment in an athlete’s life, they say things like, “she goes up for the jump shot, she shoots, she scores!” or, “the pitcher throws a fast ball, she swings, and there it goes! A homerun!” But in a story like this one, there isn’t only one sport I can choose to talk about.

Senior Atorena Michael has played sports her whole life. Starting in grade school, she played softball, soccer, basketball, and volleyball. But coming in as a freshman, she knew the three to stick with and tryout for. After going through a pretty rigorous, yet exhilarating summer at volleyball camp, her first high school season started. She had a blast during the season, and before she knew it, she would already be done with her next two sports seasons as well, basketball and softball.

“It was great to get to start high school by playing a sport because I got to meet great people and make amazing friends. I learned that athletics weren’t only about being a great athlete, but also about those important teammates you spent every day with. I knew I could rely on them through out my high school career, and I’m so thankful for them,” Michael said.

Athletics have had a big impact on Michael because it taught her good time management, how to dedicate herself to something, and even taught her how to be a good teammate. In her opinion, the definition of a “good teammate” is someone who will push others on the team to become the best athletes they can be, and to always try their hardest. She also believes it is important that everyone is always there for each other, and brings people up when they are frustrated.

“It’s really hard because sometimes when you’re playing a sport, you are so focused on what you are doing and when you mess up, it ruins your whole vibe. Thats why it’s crucial for teammates to have faith in each other, and to make sure there is enough positive energy going around,” Michael stressed.

Not only does Michael believe that being a good teammate is important, but she also is looked at as a role model on all of her sports teams.

“Atorena is one of those girls that you would always want in the game because of her mental and physical abilities, which was why libero was the perfect position for her on our volleyball team. She would throw her body for everything, and never cared about the bruises on her hips and elbows. She became more than just a teammate over the last four years, and she is one of the people I hope to keep in touch with after senior year,” said senior and volleyball teammate, Delanie Kwiecinski.

At this time of her senior year, Michael has so far been accepted to her top two choices: University of Arizona and Indiana State. Although dedicated to athletics for all 12 seasons at Niles West, she has decided to focus on her studies so she can be successful in the future once she gets to college, and not play any sports at the collegiate level. Michael is still undecided about what she wants to study because she is waiting until she knows exactly what she wants to do, and knows the field is right for her.

“Being a three sport athlete all four years of my high school career really shows me that all of my hard work has paid off. I have dedicated so much time into becoming the best athlete I can be, and knowing that I have created a little legacy that I get to leave behind to all of my under class men teammates means the world to me. I have truly made some life long friends, and it’s going to be hard for us to go our separate ways, but college is just another chapter in my book,” Michael said.