Perfil estudiantil - Lucía Reverte

Lucia Reverte, an 11th grade student at the Oxford International School, represented Panama with the National Flag Under 17 team last July in the IFAF Americas International Continental Championship 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Question: To begin with, could you tell us a little about the process of your selection and how you feel about it?

Lucia: First of all, I feel proud; that is the only word I have; that's the only way I can describe how I feel about myself and where I have gotten. For the process of selection, my coach called me and told me “Hey, you should start practicing with them; I think you are capable enough”. And that's how he chose me, since he was coaching me and also that team.

Question: Do you think that by changing the game level, you faced unusual difficulties?

Lucia: There were definitely differences; the level of those girls from the different countries amazed me. There was a big difference between the leagues that we play in Panama versus those in higher level competition.

Question: What factors do you feel are crucial for an effective performance?

Lucia: I think that would be trusting yourself, thinking you are capable enough, and also making time for the sport. I remember that while I was practicing, those were three intense months. I hardly slept; I also had three practices a day, and I was trying to go to the gym as well because I wanted to be as prepared as I could, and it was very hard.

Question: What is your relationship with the team?

Lucia: It's very nice. I think I had the opportunity to be with 10 amazing girls. They play very well, and sharing something you like with people your age is very fun.

Lucía Reverte del 11.1

Question: Did you feel any kind of pressure knowing that you were going to represent the country? If so, how did you cope with that?

Lucia: I was nervous, very nervous. Specifically, on the first day of the first game, I remember thinking, “Oh my god, you are here playing against girls that have been playing their whole lives. How am I here?”. And then I thought, “Hey, you are here because you are great and you have worked hard for this, so just trust yourself and do what you already know.”

Question: What do you like the most about playing flag?

Lucia: I like that I have grown in the sport; I feel that I am faster, that I have perfected my technique, and that I became more intelligent while playing. The thing, I like the most is when the team is winning and everyone is happy. And we make TDs, and we feel the adrenaline. It's just an incomparable feeling.

Question: As our final question, what is your biggest motivation to keep going?

Lucia: I am my own motivation, seeing how far I can go. As a matter of fact, representing the country was on my checklist, but I would like to pursue this sport as a career or get a scholarship with it because I can put hard work into it and I know it will open a lot of doors for me.