Soccer ace kicks ritual to curb after injury

A: Mia Hamm was my idol growing up. I look up to her not only as a soccer player, but her life story really inspired me. She overcame a lot of obstacles. She really proves to the world that girls can be athletes just as well as boys can.
Q: Who motivates you the most?
A: Definitely my mom, my dad and my brother. Coach (Alan) Thompson really inspires me with his mindset of how to go about things. My parents and brother just give everything they have.
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
A: Yes, I always lace up my shoes a certain way. If I don’t do that, it just doesn’t work. I always jump around a lot before I go into the game. Before I got hurt, I had this lucky thing that I’d wrap around my ankle, but then I got hurt, so I don’t do that anymore.

About Ranya Gruber
School: Bellaire High School
Sport: Soccer
Class: 12
Notable: Overcame severe injury freshman year and returned to team