Southwest Orange Observer: Sports Spotlight — Kira Skretteberg

A senior captain on the Windermere High girls soccer team, Kira Skretteberg is looking to take advantage of her last year of soccer for the Wolverines this season. At the midfield position, Skretteberg races up and down on the field as she plays both offense and defense for the Wolverines.

How did you first get into soccer?

I’ve been playing soccer since I was about 3 years old — I didn’t like it in the beginning, but my dad kept forcing me to play. I grew up a little bit and started playing it correctly and everything, and then I got a little bit better and better. The better I got, the more I liked it.

What has been your favorite thing about playing soccer at Windermere?

I think our team is really fun — I love all the girls on our team — and I’m being coached by a coach I had all through middle school for club, which is fun. Also, a lot of girls have a good understanding of the game and motivation, so it’s just having girls who have the same mentality as you.

What’s your favorite part about soccer? The hardest part?

I’ve met all of my closest friends through soccer, so being able to be around them all the time — training and doing something we love. The hardest part — at least right now with almost graduating — is staying committed. For club, it’s an hour drive and we train four days a week, and then we drive out of state for games.

What are the best words of advice you’ve been given about soccer?

If you don’t love it, you shouldn’t be there — if you do love it, you should be putting your full effort into it.

This is your last year of high school. Has that sunk in?

No, it hasn’t. Thinking about leaving, possibly the state, and I won’t be playing soccer after high school, everything that I do now is going to change next year and I haven’t processed yet.

What’s the toughest aspect of playing in the midfield? Your favorite aspect?

The biggest challenge is it’s the most running in the whole world — I have to go forward, and then I have to go back. The best part about it, I think, is that it’s the best of both worlds between offense and defense. I’ve been a defender most of my life, but then coach Trent put me at midfield for the first time when I played for him, and it kind of gives you more diversity in your playing and you get to work with everybody on the field at once.

If you could have your perfect meal after a game, what would it be?

Usually it’s a pub sub. If I’m really treating myself, I’ll get the chicken tender sub.