ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Miriam Athay

Horizon High School junior and flag football wide receiver, safety and quarterback Miriam Athay currently has 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the season. The Lady Hawks currently remain undefeated with a season record of 6-0.

Talk to us about your years as a flag football player.
I haven’t really played flag. I play more tackle football, so it’s kind of hard to differentiate the two, but I’ve played football my entire life. 

Why flag football? 
Football, it’s just a huge thing in my family, so I like to carry on the “thing” because it makes my mom happy to to watch us play. I like playing football a lot, and I feel I am really good at it. 

What do you love most about flag football as a sport?
I think making new friends and playing my heart out. 

What has flag football taught you not only on the field but also outside of it? 
Don’t get cocky. You can be really good, but it is one play (that) can mess you up and mess up the whole game. And, it’s made me realize that not everything is easy. 

Do you have a favorite drill to do at practice? 
Pulling flags; it tests your agility in pulling. There can be many broken fingers that can happen pulling flags.

What do you think makes you a unique player on the football field? 
I’m not tall, but I would say my height. … Just my background I guess (too, I’ve been) playing football my entire life.

How do you believe you instill leadership in your team? 
Just making sure everyone is paying attention and not disrespecting coach (Ethan Mankoff) and actually trying to get better because if you are out there not to learn, then there is no reason to be there.

Do you have a favorite NFL player? And team?
Not really, I just watch to watch. I would say maybe Peyton Manning. When he played, he was top tier and his stats were amazing, and I could only hope to try to be like him.

What’s your favorite thing about the Hawks’ flag football team? 
Definitely playing with my girlfriend (Kylie Will), playing with my team and having a lot of fun.  

What’s your favorite hobby? 
Working out or hanging out with my family or my girlfriend. 

What are three things you would take with you to a deserted island? 
My girlfriend, food and a football.

What’s your favorite movie? 
“Mamma Mia!” I like the second one because of the songs because they are a little different than the first one, but without Donna in it, it’s not the same. 

What TV series are you watching right now? 
“Dance Moms,” it’s so good. If you have a Hulu account, I definitely recommend watching it. 

What’s your favorite type of music? 
Alternative or pop or rap.

Do you have anything you’d like to listen to before a game? 
Yes, I have a pre-game hype playlist. 

Who’s your favorite superhero? Why? 
Spiderman. I just love him; it’s an unhealthy obsession. With Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire, they both have strengths for different sides of Peter. And then Tom Holland is the best of all of them.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why? 
Super strength. I feel like it’d be fun to be stronger than everyone else. 

What are three places you’d like to visit? Why? 
I like to travel around the world. I like Aruba, I like Cancun, and obviously anywhere I can play flag would be a good place to go. 

Which one would you choose: Instagram, BeReal or TikTok? 
TikTok because there are so many things to watch. 

If you could go back in time to a specific period of history, what would it be and why?
I think going back in time to the times that I regret the most, … (although) I wouldn’t want to change anything. So I would go back but then I wouldn’t go back. 

What color would you say represents your personality? 
I’d say blue; it’s my favorite color. 

If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why? 
A dog, because dogs are fun. I want to know what they think.