Sophomore Abby Martin — one of the newly created flag football team’s captains — plays the position of quarterback on the team. Excited about the emerging sport, Martin said that “it’s a fun process,” explaining that she is working towards gaining more experience as the season continues.
As Martin is a team captain, she holds the responsibility of communicating between the coaches, other captains, and her teammates.
“I love encouraging my teammates,” Martin said. “That’s something I really enjoy.”
Martin was inspired to play after her volleyball season had ended, and her cousin, sophomore Ella Manson, sought her help in beginning a flag football team.
Martin is hoping to continue playing on the team for as long as she can.
A drill that she likes to play during practice is one focused on conditioning, where teammates stand in a circle, and once the flag is thrown, the first one to get it wins.
One challenge that Martin has faced in flag football is learning the sport because she is a new player and it is still emerging in popularity. She said that “[having] a fun time with my team, and [growing] together as a team,” is one of things that she enjoys. As a committed student-athlete, another obstacle she faces is juggling sports with academics, though Martin explained that she does her best to persevere.
One of Martin’s biggest motivations is her dad “because I just want to be able to throw the ball with him,” she said.
Martin looks up to her dad, as he is a hard worker, along with her mom because she makes her feel like there will always be someone on the sidelines supporting her.
A motto that her dad tells her when she feels weary during her game is “drink water; drive on,” which motivates her to continue even though she might be tired.
Aside from flag football, Martin has played volleyball since she was very young. She started playing for La Salle in her freshman year, and hopes to continue for as long as she can.
A memorable moment at La Salle for Martin was when she made it into varsity volleyball. Even though she had doubts, her friends supported her. “They were all cheering and screaming for me,” she said.
A big accomplishment for Martin is prioritizing her studies while also participating in sports throughout the year.
In her free time, Martin is cooking and rock climbing, which she does as often as she can.
Coming to La Salle, Martin said that the environment has given her a place to be herself, and the friends that she has made along the way have given her another reason to smile. “[This has] been one of the best experiences I could have imagined,” Martin said.
Martin’s advice for anyone considering joining flag football was to join, even if they might be worried about their level of experience or acclimating to the team’s environment.
“Just go for it honestly,” she said. “Don’t be scared to make friends and mistakes because everybody does.”
