Most remember sports in middle school. Getting to go out on the field or court and hearing all of the fans screaming with encouragement.

Now that these middle school athletes have entered into high school, not all of them are reentering the spotlight.

Freshman Joanna Carrillo was involved in cross country and track in both 7^th and 8^th grade, but this year she plans on spending her time doing other things.

“My mom wanted me to focus more on my grades and get used to the school before I did any sports,” Carrillo said.

She still wants to be able to support her friends and former teammates.

“I will go see and support as many sports as I can,” Carrillo adds.

Freshman Ashton Ottley feels the same as Carrillo.

“I played all three seasons of sports both years,” Ottley said.

This year Ottley is planning on hanging up her basketball shoes, putting away her volleyball knee pads and hanging up her track suit.

“I’m not playing sports this year because I want to focus more on the rodeo,” Ottley said. “I feel like if I was to do a sport then I wouldn’t have time after school to ride my horse.”

Ottley still wants to watch some of the action from the crowd this year.

“I plan on cheering on my friends and classmates,” Ottley said. “I enjoy watching the sports, I just didn’t feel the desire to play them this year.”

19kpotter@usd489.com