On average, a high school student plays one to two sports during their high school career. But, what would it be like to play three sports, four sports, or maybe even seven?
Well, to get a better idea, talk to senior Ava Orrillo. Throughout her high school career, Orrillo has competed in swimming, track, boxing, taekwondo, flag football, kickboxing, and horseback riding.
“My parents have always pushed me to do everything that interests me – and that’s always been sports,” Orrillo said.
Of her several sports, Orrillo’s kickboxing and boxing careers have been a personal highlight.
“I did kickboxing for around seven years, practicing three times a week at a club called Gracie Barr,” Orrillo said.
After winning state competitions three consecutive years in a row, Orrillo decided it was time to move her fighting career forward.
“I started boxing because there were more girls in the state that box, meaning the competition was much higher during tournaments and sparring,” Orrillo said. “It’s all about continuing to challenge myself and grow, and kickboxing wasn’t helping me do that anymore.”
Alongside boxing for two years, Orrillo also played flag football, Liberty’s newest winter season sport. Unfortunately, halfway through the season, Orrillo rushed the quarterback, got hit by a blocker, and tore her ACL during a game.
Now in crutches, all of Orillo’s sports, including the upcoming track season, have been halted. Because it takes six to nine months for an ACL tear to fully heal after surgery, Orrillo will not be able to continue her athletics for a long time.
“After I heal up, I plan on continuing boxing but not for a while,” Orrillo said.
Although Orrillo may not be playing sports now, her athletic career goes to show how important it is to get involved in what you find interesting. For instance, if she hadn’t tried taekwondo, she would never have experienced being a three year state champion or had the opportunity to go to nationals.
“I have really enjoyed all of the sports I have been a part of, and I wouldn’t have had these experiences if I hadn’t taken a risk and started playing the sports I was interested in,” Orillo said. “You never know until you play them.”
