Player of the Week: Samantha DeSouza

Samantha DeSouza

Samantha DeSouza

Samantha DeSouza is a talented freshman who is making her mark as a thrower in high school indoor track & field competitions.
“Sam has been very dedicated to the team, even showing up to the practices while injured,” Lake Region varsity coach Mark Snow said. “She won the Junior shot put in her first meet (with a toss of 26 feet, 2.5-inches) and is currently ranked second in the state for freshmen.”
In recognition of her strong work ethic, determination, commitment and good sportsmanship, Samantha is this week’s Boosters and Hancock Lumber “Player of the Week.” Each week, a Lake Region athlete is recognized for his/her dedication (does more than what is asked), work ethic, coachability and academic good standing. Recipients receive a specially-designed T-shirt, sponsored by Hancock Lumber.
The DeSouza File
Name: Samantha DeSouza
Year in School: Freshman
Town: Sebago
Parents: Cathy DeSouza and Ralph DeSouza
Sports you play: Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field
Q. Best piece of advice you have received? “Don’t pray for success, train for it.” I hear my grandfather say it all the time to his teams. It makes me go and train and not just hope I do well at the meets.
Q. Who is your biggest fan? My grandfather (Dan Dors). He goes to all of my sport events and no matter how I did, he is still happy for me. I had a track meet a couple of hours away and he still made it there even though he already had plans.
Q. I know I have had a good sports day when… I have accomplished a goal I set for the meet. Whether it is to throw a certain length or just to work on my form.
Q. What is your favorite sport? Track and field because you get to know your teammates and competitors better. Everyone cheers each other on even if you are not on the same team.
Q. If I could change one thing about myself as an athlete, I would change… My attitude toward other competitors. I feel I get caught up in the meet and I don’t congratulate the other competitors enough.
Q. What qualities make for a good teammate and whom do you consider a good teammate? A quality that I think makes for a good teammate is one that congratulates their teammates after their event. I consider everyone that gives their best and helps out their teammates to be a good teammate.
Q. What do you believe you bring to your team? I don’t really know what I bring to the team. I believe it’s up to other kids to see what I bring to the team that they benefit from. What they see that I bring to the team.
Q. What characteristics do you feel make for a good coach? Someone that can see talent in someone doing another sport. If you see a kid playing soccer and can tell that they could be a great runner or a kid doing baseball or softball and see they have a great arm and could be great at a throwing event, then in my mind you would make a great coach. Of course, you would need also to know what you are talking about.