Sophie Smithey

• Grade: 10
• Sport: Athletic Training
• Position: Varsity Trainer
• Age Started:  14

How would other people describe you?

Other people describe me as kind of outgoing. I think I’m pretty smart, but I don’t know how other people feel about that. I imagine people would describe me as a hardworking student because I put a lot of work into the classroom as well as on the field.

How and why did you start?

I started athletic training because I want to go into the medical field as a pediatric oncologist, and I felt like this was a really good pathway to start. I want to be able to help athletes be their best selves whenever they’re in critical moments, like being injured.

Describe how you prepare before a game.

Me and the other sophomore trainer, Nikki, always say a little prayer before our football games, as well as the team usually does a team prayer. I do pray over my team meal because I’m highly religious, and I like to keep God’s protection over me.

What do you think your reputation is as a trainer?

Honestly, as a trainer, I really like to be social at practice. Some people take it the wrong way, but I don’t mean anything negative or harmful to them. I just like to talk to people.

What personal superstitions or traditions do you have before, during, or after a game?

The prayers.

Tell us about your favorite memory as an athlete either on or off the field.

I think one of my favorite athletic training memories was this three-day soccer tournament that I worked at last year. We got up really, really early every morning, like, for two or three mornings in a row. It was so cold, and we were cuddling under my blanket that I brought, and I was wearing my sister’s letterman.

Tell us the story about what you are most proud of yourself for.

I think one of my proudest moments was whenever Miss Hernandez asked me to go with them to a varsity game last year in my freshman year, because last year she only asked me and Nikki to do that in the entire season. I felt really accomplished at that point because I felt like my skills and hard work had really paid off.

Who is someone you are thankful for and why?

I’m really thankful for my mom because she’s always been the person that’s kind of been there for me and by my side. In moments where she knows I’m wrong, she’s not afraid to tell me. She’ll be the person that lets me know that I’m in the wrong, and at the same time, she’s always been my number one supporter.

What advice would you give to people that may want to play your sport?

I think beginners should understand that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and some days are going to be hard. I’ve had to learn that adversity is an issue that you’re going to have to face, and you’re going to have to get over adversity if you want to be an athletic trainer. When it comes down to it, at the end of the day, going through the hard moments is really worth it.

What’s on your bucket list?

I want to be able to travel. I want to live in Washington whenever I’m older, and I want to take maybe a gap year between high school and college to really travel the world and see different parts of Europe and Spain and probably South America. I want to go to the Colorado mountains and go around this country.

Favorites

• Exercise: Squat.
• Drills: Ankle Wrapping with beginners.
• Song: “The Gold” by Phoebe Bridgers.
• TV Show: “Gilmore Girls.”
• Coach: Soccer head coach Gretchen Kloes.