ALLSWELL OPUSUNJU- MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Tell everyone about yourself?
I am currently a sophomore recently injured, cracked ankle joint, on October 2009 at the Glen Oaks game. I Love football and will do whatever it takes to get to the next level.

What was your best game?
Donaldsonville, it's when I had my first reception. It was an ugly pass and I adjusted in the air to make the catch. After I caught it, I got stamped in the air.

Why are sports/education important to you?
School comes first. I have to get my grades straight if I plan on getting to the next level. I am ranked 58/305 in my class and my GPA is a 3.1 for my entire 2 years of high school.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
I work hard. Sometimes I cry because I work so hard and don't get far but that just tells me I'm not going hard enough so I push myself even more. I need to work on my footwork. I know I might not be the tallest slot receiver, so I'm going to need quicker feet and I need to be able to move quick like a running back. My dad kicked me off the football team and I feel that he doesn't think I can make it. I took that and used it as motivation so I played in that game against Glen Oaks, hiding, coming home from games late, and sneaking in the house. One Friday night, I came back with a cracked ankle and that shows not only you that's reading this but everyone else that I will not give up no matter who tells me I'm too small or I'm not good enough.

What is your dream college?
My dream college would be TCU. It's not that far from home and I would be honored to where purple.

If a College Coach ask you, how can you make our team better, what would you say?
I would definitely bring leadership to the table and will improve the defensive backs position because I will go 101 percent. I would also make the team bond more, become one body, play as one body, one mind, and one Team.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
Stay humble and love what you do. From my perspective don't let anyone tell you you can't make it. Just have faith and keep believing because GOD has a plan for you.

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
I'd like to give a shout out to SoSportz! Thank your for the opportunity to show how bad I want to get to the next level!

AMIN TAHERI- CHESHIRE HIGH SCHOOL

Tell everyone about yourself?
Hi my name is Amin Taheri. I am a sophomore at Cheshire High School and I have been playing soccer since I was 4 years old. I feel in love with the game when my dad handed me a ball and I never stopped playing since. I first started out as a goalie and then moved to the field. The reason I changed positions wasn't because I wasn't good, it was because we had too many goalies at our school. I played goalie for a top team in our state and I gave that up because I thought I didn't have a shot at making our school team. I tore my ACL and Meniscus on December 13th 2009.

What was your best game?
My best game was more like a best tournament. It was an indoor tournament at this arena and it was my first time playing with the older players. I had such an amazing tourny that the coach offered me a spot on the team.

Why are sports/education important to you?
Sports and education are important to me because I believe that if you do well in both you will be a very successful person in life. For example, if I just cared about sports, there's a chance I could get hurt and lose everything I worked for and then there won't be a backup plan since I let go of school.

What can you do yo make yourself better in your sport?
I think I can become better in my sport by working hard and achieving things that others can't even dream of. I work day and night to turn myself into the best player possible.

What is your dream college?
My dream college is UCONN. I don't think I'm good enough to get there now but if I work as hard as I am now my dream might come true.

If a College Coach ask you, how can you make our team better, what would you say?
I would tell the college coach that I would bring more intensity then anyone else that he has seen before. I will bring passion and love for the game to the field and off of it also.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
The best advice I can give student athletes is to remember that they are just that, STUDENT-athletes, there's a reason that student comes first and they need to know that. People care too much about their sport and don't care enough about there education these days.

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
I thought my shot at getting recognized as a player was done, until I found SoSportz. With the exposure they give players, I now think that I have a shot at playing soccer in college.

SARAH SHIELDS- HAMDEN HIGH SCHOOL

Tell us about yourself?
My name is Sarah. I am a sophomore at Hamden High School. I am 5'10 and I play just about every position, but my favorite is shooting guard. Basketball is my favorite thing to do.

What was your best game?
I have two games that stick out, one game I hit seven three-pointers and the other game I hit two three-pointers in the final minute to push my team into overtime.

Why are sports/education important to you?
I love being physically active, I love being part of the team, and in order to be successful in life, the lessons you learn on the court are important but not nearly as important as what you learn in school.

What can you do to make yourself better in your sport?
Keep working on the fundamentals, keep your confidence level high, and always be aggressive.

What is your dream college?
Small to mid-sized school in New England or close to it.

If a College Coach ask you, how can you make our team better, what would you say?
No one world out work me and no one would be more coachable.

What advice can you give other student-athletes?
Keep your grades up, play the sport that you love, and always play like its your last game.

Send a shout out to SoSportz:
SEE YAA, WE OUT!