Leopard Look: Maggie Manders

Campbell Lester, Staff Writer • September 22, 2021

Andrew Hager

Junior Maggie Manders is on the varsity soccer team. Manders is also an athletic trainer.

Junior Maggie Manders is on the varsity soccer team and is an athletic trainer.

At a Glance:

Favorite soccer player: Crystal Dunn

Must have pre-game snack: Granola bar and Gatorade

Go-to pump up song: “Cover Me Up” by Morgan Wallen

Favorite activity to do in your freetime: Calligraphy and making cards

Looking Deeper:

The Red Ledger: How long have you been playing soccer?

Maggie Manders: I have been playing soccer since I was four years old. I started club soccer for Sting Soccer Club when I was six years old.

TRL: Why did you start playing soccer?

MM: I started playing soccer because some of my school friends began playing. My mom signed me up, and I was on a team called Girl Power.

TRL: What went into the training process for you to make varsity?

MM: It took a lot of hard work and determination. My tryout process was different from other players because I was in swim for the majority of the first semester. Coach Keeble only had a week and a half to evaluate my playing abilities.

Junior Maggie Manders has been playing soccer since she was four years old. Manders’s go-to pre-game snacks are granola bars and Gatorade. (Andrew Hager)

TRL: Why did you become an athletic trainer?

MM: Last year, when I was a sophomore, I took sports medicine, and I really enjoyed the class. Near the end of the year, spring football began and required more assistance because senior trainers were working with other sports. I went to help out with one of the practices, and I really enjoyed it.

TRL: What is it like being both a player and trainer?

MM: Since I am both a soccer player and trainer, I have a super busy schedule. I wake up early to set up football practice and stay late if there is a game. I have soccer practice from 6:30-8:00 after school. I’ve had to learn how to manage my time efficiently.

TRL: How do you balance the workload?

MM: In order for me to find the best balance, I set aside time to complete homework and try to plan out all assignments so that everything gets finished. Using a planner is extremely helpful because I write down things that need to be accomplished as well as my schedule for the day.

TRL: How has being a trainer changed the way you train for soccer?

MM: I am more aware of the risks in playing soccer. I pay more attention to my body and make sure I don’t overwork or injure myself. It has allowed me to help others whether that is taping ankles, stretching or icing.

TRL: Are you hoping to continue either activity into your future?

MM: I plan on using my knowledge from athletic training to assist me in a degree in Kinesiology and a job in a sports medicine related career.

About the Contributors

Campbell Lester, Editor-In-Chief

Campbell Lester is ecstatic to be entering her fourth and final year on staff with her fabulous co Editor-In-Chief, Mia Reaugh. After an eye opening junior year, Lester has seen the dark side of Lovejoy High School *cough cough* AP Physics. However, after a fantastic summer spent frolicking through the vineyards of Italy and running at Celebration Park, Lester is ready for the best senior year ever. Although she mistakenly did not sign up for an off period or take any dual credit classes, Lester will get through the year with her best friends, country music and a Chocolate Peanut Power Plus smoothie from Smoothie King. With only one year left, Lester hopes to take in every moment with her friends and family by her side.

Andrew Hager, Photographer

Junior Andrew Hager enters his second year on The Red Ledger as a photographer. Hager enjoys spending time with his friends, photography and traveling. Hager picked up photography in early 2019, and enjoys taking and posting travel photos to his Instagram. His love for photography is more than just a hobby. His passion gave him opportunities to shoot family photos and weddings and engage in product photography. He’s the kind of person to discover a new Netflix show and finish it in one day. Hager is also known to stay up until four in the morning watching YouTube or playing Xbox. His favorite show is “Game of Thrones,” and his favorite food is Pizza Rolls. Hager looks forward to his second year on TRL staff.