Reavis trio aims to remedy
Rams midfield, and more
By Bill Stone
The plan for Rams seniors Alyssa Froylan, Cami Valdez and Natalie Longoria is to work together as big contributors to the midfield for Reavis.
Their future plans also have a common thread.
Froylan will pursue a career in the medical field to be determined. Longoria plans to go into nursing; Valdez will major in kinesiology with thoughts of becoming a physical therapist.
“Sports is my passion so, knowing the injuries, I want to help the players come back from that so they don’t have to give up on their dream sport,” Valdez said.
With the sacrifices many have made professionally during the COVID-19 pandemic, they especially can sympathize with the challenges that those in the medical profession currently are making for the recuperation and safety of the public.
“I think it’s very crazy. It’s risky,” Longoria said. “They’re risking their lives to save ours – and every day.”
Interestingly, St. Xavier University and Moraine Valley Community College are among the lists of schools all three are considering.
As all Rams await the start of this soccer season, team captains Froylan, Valdez and junior Sandy Garcia and other seniors have led the way to give their teammates motivation and ideas about ways to continue skill training and conditioning.
“We have a group chat, and we’re always talking about things, positive things,” Froylan said. “I know there is hope for this season. The IHSA just extended (when spring seasons may end into June) so that has brought hope to a lot of the girls. I just hope that comes true.”
There will be plenty to be accomplished this season. Froylan personally is motivated from earning her first all-sectional honors in 2019 while Valdez was all-sectional honorable mention.
“It was really exciting. I was shocked when I got all-sectional. One of my goals this year was to get all-state,” Froylan said. “(And Valdez) really deserved it. She worked her butt off all last season. I was really happy for her.”
Froylan and Valdez been continuous soccer teammates since their days at Liberty Junior High School in Burbank.
They were delighted to be reunited in the Rams program as freshmen. Froylan was with the varsity from the outset, and Valdez was quickly promoted following roughly three games on the freshman level.
This season, Froylan will be counted on to contribute more offensively. From defensive center midfield Froylan had a knack of getting the ball to left midfielder Valdez, especially last season.
“I think I’ve learned that I’m a team player,” Froylan said.
“I pass to my players and try to help them as best I can. I might not score that many goals but half are because I created (or contributed to) the plays.”
Reavis anatomy and biology teacher Therese Schoder earns the assist for Froylan’s college pursuit. Froylan already had an interest and Schoder’s anatomy class piqued it.
“I happen to love science a lot and in school one of my favorite subjects is anatomy. I feel I’ll be a good fit in that field,” Froylan said.
Last season, Longoria fit in well as a varsity newcomer at right outside midfielder who played in every game usually as a sub for graduated starter Lily Saenz.
Longoria will remain at midfield or right outside defense, the position she played for the sophomores in 2018.
Although not a Liberty teammate with Froylan and Valdez, Longoria quickly meshed with the midfield in 2019 with the varsity veterans.
“I think it went really well,” Longoria said. “We know each other’s plays and, if anything, we’ll talk to each other: for Cami to run and Alyssa to play through the ball and I’ll stay back; or Alyssa will pass to Cami and I’ll run. We communicate very well.”
In college, Longoria hopes to participate in soccer or cheerleading. She’s made three trips to the state meet with the Rams’ co-ed competitive cheerleading team.
Longoria’s specific nursing goal is to be a neonatal nurse, which takes care of newborn infants that are suffering problems shortly after birth. She’s already received good insight from her aunt being a neonatal nurse.
“I think I’ll be a good suit for it,” Longoria said.
Valdez also is a two-sport athlete. She played varsity girls basketball reserve, mostly for defensive purposes. She also brings a fiery spirit, which she has learned to keep under control on the soccer field.
“I think (teammates) see me that I’m kind of hard-headed. I do what I think is best for the team but sometimes if I’m not doing my best, I’ve come back to the realization that it’s a game and I have to play my game for my team,” Valdez said.
“I know when I make a few mistakes, I’ll get my head down. That’s when I realized I have to step out of it and play my game.”
From her two sports, Valdez said she has been fortunate not to suffer any serious injuries. Yet her experience through others has created her interest in becoming a physical therapist.
“Just because a bunch of my friends had ACL (knee ligament) tears that cost them their senior years. It sucks because I’d see them on the bench and wish they were playing, too,” Valdez said.
Rams midfield, and more
By Bill Stone
The plan for Rams seniors Alyssa Froylan, Cami Valdez and Natalie Longoria is to work together as big contributors to the midfield for Reavis.
Their future plans also have a common thread.
Froylan will pursue a career in the medical field to be determined. Longoria plans to go into nursing; Valdez will major in kinesiology with thoughts of becoming a physical therapist.
“Sports is my passion so, knowing the injuries, I want to help the players come back from that so they don’t have to give up on their dream sport,” Valdez said.
With the sacrifices many have made professionally during the COVID-19 pandemic, they especially can sympathize with the challenges that those in the medical profession currently are making for the recuperation and safety of the public.
“I think it’s very crazy. It’s risky,” Longoria said. “They’re risking their lives to save ours – and every day.”
Interestingly, St. Xavier University and Moraine Valley Community College are among the lists of schools all three are considering.
As all Rams await the start of this soccer season, team captains Froylan, Valdez and junior Sandy Garcia and other seniors have led the way to give their teammates motivation and ideas about ways to continue skill training and conditioning.
“We have a group chat, and we’re always talking about things, positive things,” Froylan said. “I know there is hope for this season. The IHSA just extended (when spring seasons may end into June) so that has brought hope to a lot of the girls. I just hope that comes true.”
There will be plenty to be accomplished this season. Froylan personally is motivated from earning her first all-sectional honors in 2019 while Valdez was all-sectional honorable mention.
“It was really exciting. I was shocked when I got all-sectional. One of my goals this year was to get all-state,” Froylan said. “(And Valdez) really deserved it. She worked her butt off all last season. I was really happy for her.”
Froylan and Valdez been continuous soccer teammates since their days at Liberty Junior High School in Burbank.
They were delighted to be reunited in the Rams program as freshmen. Froylan was with the varsity from the outset, and Valdez was quickly promoted following roughly three games on the freshman level.
This season, Froylan will be counted on to contribute more offensively. From defensive center midfield Froylan had a knack of getting the ball to left midfielder Valdez, especially last season.
“I think I’ve learned that I’m a team player,” Froylan said.
“I pass to my players and try to help them as best I can. I might not score that many goals but half are because I created (or contributed to) the plays.”
Reavis anatomy and biology teacher Therese Schoder earns the assist for Froylan’s college pursuit. Froylan already had an interest and Schoder’s anatomy class piqued it.
“I happen to love science a lot and in school one of my favorite subjects is anatomy. I feel I’ll be a good fit in that field,” Froylan said.
Last season, Longoria fit in well as a varsity newcomer at right outside midfielder who played in every game usually as a sub for graduated starter Lily Saenz.
Longoria will remain at midfield or right outside defense, the position she played for the sophomores in 2018.
Although not a Liberty teammate with Froylan and Valdez, Longoria quickly meshed with the midfield in 2019 with the varsity veterans.
“I think it went really well,” Longoria said. “We know each other’s plays and, if anything, we’ll talk to each other: for Cami to run and Alyssa to play through the ball and I’ll stay back; or Alyssa will pass to Cami and I’ll run. We communicate very well.”
In college, Longoria hopes to participate in soccer or cheerleading. She’s made three trips to the state meet with the Rams’ co-ed competitive cheerleading team.
Longoria’s specific nursing goal is to be a neonatal nurse, which takes care of newborn infants that are suffering problems shortly after birth. She’s already received good insight from her aunt being a neonatal nurse.
“I think I’ll be a good suit for it,” Longoria said.
Valdez also is a two-sport athlete. She played varsity girls basketball reserve, mostly for defensive purposes. She also brings a fiery spirit, which she has learned to keep under control on the soccer field.
“I think (teammates) see me that I’m kind of hard-headed. I do what I think is best for the team but sometimes if I’m not doing my best, I’ve come back to the realization that it’s a game and I have to play my game for my team,” Valdez said.
“I know when I make a few mistakes, I’ll get my head down. That’s when I realized I have to step out of it and play my game.”
From her two sports, Valdez said she has been fortunate not to suffer any serious injuries. Yet her experience through others has created her interest in becoming a physical therapist.
“Just because a bunch of my friends had ACL (knee ligament) tears that cost them their senior years. It sucks because I’d see them on the bench and wish they were playing, too,” Valdez said.