Get to know U High soccer player Aubrey Balota
NORMAL, Ill. — Aubrey Balota鈥檚 freshman year at University High School was nothing short of unforgettable.
She led the Pioneers with 33 goals and 11 assists that helped the Pioneers to the Class 1A state championship, the first Intercity girls soccer team to win a state title.
Balota had a goal in the state semifinals and assisted on the game-winning goal in the championship game.
School: University High School
Year: Sophomore to be
Hometown: Bloomington, Illinois
Parents: Eric and Carmen Balota
What is the name of your club team?
Aubrey Balota: Central Illinois United.
What is your favorite sound in soccer?
Balota: The ball hitting the back of the net.
What other sports do you participate in?
Balota: Basketball.
What do you like to do outside of soccer and school?
Balota: I enjoy hanging out with my friends and going shopping.
In addition to advancing to state, what has been the most special/memorable part of this season?
Balota: My most memorable moment of this season was getting a hat trick in our game against Dunlap.
Ask someone in your family to pick one word to describe you. Who did you pick and what word did they use?
Balota: I chose my dad, and he said competitive.
As an athlete, what is a rule you live by?
Balota: A rule I live by as an athlete is always control the things you can control. Also, effort is key.
What jersey number do you wear?
Balota: I wear No. 4. It is a number I have had since the very first time I have played soccer.
What is the biggest lesson you鈥檝e learned from soccer?
Balota: Learning how important the mental aspect of the game is.
What is your favorite soccer facility to play?
Balota: ChampionsGate in Citrus Ridge, Fla., where I played in the Olympic Development Program Interregional.
What has been your favorite memory away from soccer?
Balota: My favorite off-the-field memory was creating a friendship with my best friend, Lana, and as an only child, being able to get close with her and her sisters.
What is your earliest memory of playing soccer?
Balota: When I first started soccer playing Prairie Cities Soccer League and I scored a goal from half field
What is your favorite memory of playing youth sports?
Balota: When I played with my Fusion club team, our main color was blue so we used to spray paint our hair blue as well as put blue ribbon in our hair and tattoos on our face.
What are you considering for after high school?
Balota: My ultimate goal is to play Division I soccer, but I will be grateful for any opportunities I may get. I would love to stay somewhat local, but I am also open to traveling.
What is your favorite meal and who makes it?
Balota: My grandma makes the best cheesy potatoes with chicken.
What is your favorite class in high school?
Balota: World studies, because I find it interesting to learn how life was different back then.
If you could be good at any other sport (besides soccer), which sport would it be?
Balota: Volleyball. I鈥檝e never played competitively, but all of my friends play and I love playing for fun with them.
What movie have you watched the most?
Balota: 10 Things I Hate About You, Mean Girls, The Notebook.
What is your go-to restaurant in town?
Balota: Chick-fil-A.
What food could you eat every day?
Balota: Pasta.
What are your plans for this summer?
Balota: I鈥檒l have summer soccer training as well as a club team national playoff tournament in New Jersey. I also plan to swim with my friends and attend concerts.
What is your pregame routine?
Balota: I eat a Chick-fil-A salad and a banana, and I always have to have a braid in my hair. I also put my right and left socks on opposite feet.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Balota: My first club coach Jeremy Stanton told me to have a short-term memory, and let past plays go. This has really helped me develop as a soccer player.
What is your favorite part of practice? Least favorite?
Balota: My favorite part of practice is the over-the-river drill and shooting drills. My least favorite is running.
Where will you be and what will you be doing in four years? Ten years?
Balota: In four years, I plan to be in my first year of college. In 10 years, I will hopefully be thinking about starting my own family, building my career and beginning a new chapter in my adult life.
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