By Faye Witherall
Staff Writer
Photo by Tucker Judkins
Online Managing Editor
Senior Sara Jaime commands the soccer field, directing many aspects of the game from the position of left back. The varsity captain’s short stature belies her powerful left-footed kick and crafty ball handling skills.
Jaime began playing soccer when she was four as a part of the local American Youth Soccer Organization. She eventually graduated from AYSO, and now plays for both the high school team and International Football Club, a program she joined in eighth grade.
“It’s a family thing- my dad played when he was young, and then my brother played,” Jaime said.
Jaime’s dedication to the sport remained strong even when she was hit with a major obstacle. During her freshman year, she tore her anterior cruciate ligament while playing, snapping the pinky-sized fiber that stabilizes her knee. This injury resulted in a grueling surgery and year of physical therapy, separating Jaime from soccer for the season.
“Frankly, it sucked. It was really hard to see my muscles atrophy, and I had to work really hard to get back,” Jaime said. “I stayed on the sideline that season and watched everybody play. Even when I could come back, I had to wear this giant brace, and my stamina was totally gone.”
But Jaime has overcome her injury, and now leads the varsity team in her final year, serving as a captain in the team’s strong preseason run.
While Jaime is unsure of where she plans on going to college, she knows that her soccer career will not end this year. She plans on playing intramural while pursuing a pre-medical education.
