Today we focus on two teammates from the Claremont Soccer Youth Association (CYSA) Skittles team that competes in the grade 2-3 coed division.
Oakleigh Poisson is a first grader who is as feisty as they come. She was bumped up to the higher division to give her more of a challenge. The same scenario goes for Remi McCormick, another first grader who doesn’t back down from anyone on the field. These two are the future faces of the Lady Cardinals program when they get to high school.
Question: What is your favorite sport and why?
Oakleigh: I have two favorite sports, soccer and go kart racing. I love soccer because I like scoring goals with my friends. I like go kart racing because I like to go fast and hangout at the track with my friends.
Remi: Soccer because I like to try and get goals.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing soccer for the Skittles?
Oakleigh: My favorite thing is that my mom coaches me and I have friends on the team.
Remi: I like playing with my team.
Q: Who is your favorite high school soccer player?
Oakleigh: I don’t really have a favorite yet, but I have a favorite middle school soccer player. Christopher Spaulding is my favorite because he is my cousin. He goes to Charlestown Middle School.
Remi: Kiley Bundy [Stevens Lady Cardinal] and Liza McManus [CMS Eagles]
Q: What future do you see for yourself with soccer?
Oakleigh: I’m going to play soccer forever and score goals.
Remi: Varsity!
Q: What do you do to work on your soccer game when you aren’t playing with the Skittles?
Oakleigh: I play soccer with friends after my games, and I play soccer with my family at home. I have a goal set up at home so I can practice anytime I want.
Remi: Practice with mom, indoor soccer, and Upper Valley Lightning Soccer Club team.
Q: What advice do you have for other girls competing in coed soccer and other coed sports?
Oakleigh: Be tough and play through it. Don’t let anyone scare you. You are awesome.
Remi: Be aggressive. The boys might push you, but you have to get back up and be tough.
The last was a question asked was for the people close to the players.
Q: What emotions do you feel when you watch these young ladies perform on the soccer field?
Lindsey Poisson, Oakleigh’s mother: I feel extremely proud. So often female sports are overlooked. I’m a mom of two girls so being able to watch all these girls give their all and be able to shine in a coed league is a pretty amazing experience.
Jericka McCormick, Remi’s mother: I love watching Remi play, she is very timid and shy, and she comes to life on the soccer field. Seeing these girls learn new skills and learn the game makes me so proud. They have learned so much moving up a level. Seeing them make plays, passes and assists is fun to watch. Remi still has a lot to learn about the game but for only six, I think she’s done well.
Check out the CYSA program on Facebook at facebook.com/ClaremontYouthSoccer or call the Claremont Recreational Center at 603-542-7019.
Nominate a Rising Star
If you want to nominate a young athlete on the rise in your area, call Chris LaClair at 603-372-2684 or email at [email protected].
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