Sports Spotlight - West Orange Times: Jay Garver

Jay Garver grew up with a soccer ball and is all about speed. Since seventh grade, he has participated in three different sports at Foundation Academy - soccer, cross country and track. Now in eighth grade, Jay is excited to keep doing all three sports as a freshman in high school.

Which of the three sports is your favorite?

Soccer. I like to run, but I prefer soccer. I’ve grown up with a ball on my foot. My dad played it. I like dribbling and shooting, and it feels good when I score.

Which of the three sports is the most challenging?

Cross country. I enjoy cross country but I feel like when I run track, I know the course really well because it’s a circle. In cross country, it’s all over the place and it’s more running. I do one mile in track, but in cross country, it’s like one-and-one-half or two miles.

Which do you like better: competing by yourself or as part of a team?

I like playing with a team. If you mess up as a team, it’s not all on you. But in cross country and track, if you get tired, it’s all on you.

How do you balance doing all three sports plus your homework?

It’s really crazy. I do better under pressure, but I’m so glad soccer, cross country and track are not all together during the year. And I play soccer with a club all year long, so after track I go to my club soccer.

How fast are you?

My goal this year to is get at least under 5:15 or 5:10 for a mile. The best I’ve done so far is 5:21. I can’t wait to start growing. I feel like I’m small, so I can’t wait to get longer legs so I can go faster.

What are your favorite TV shows?

“The Walking Dead” and “Arrow.”

What is your favorite subject at school?

My favorite subject is math, but my favorite course is language arts because I really like the teacher. She’s really fun.