Isabelle “Izzy” Hutnak, 16, is known around the Greely High athletic community as a hard-working, high-scoring forward for the girls’ soccer team, which is off to a 4-0 start. She often works in dynamic harmony with her junior classmate Jocelyn Mitiguy, and is known for helping keep practices light and energetic, according to one of her coaches.
Q: The girls’ soccer team has a pre-game, players-only tradition. Tell me about that.
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A: It’s for home games. We have our special spot (by the school). It’s good team time and we have such good chemistry that it’s really important we (do that) before each game.
Q: Does it have a special name?
A: No it doesn’t. It’s just time without Coach, time to reflect and if someone wants to put out their own thoughts they can. It’s nice.
Q: Has this been going on a long time at Greely?
A: We had someone here last year who was at Greely 20 years ago and it brought tears to her eyes that we were still doing it. It’s very cool.
Q: What can your team accomplish?
A: I’m not sure there were a lot of people optimistic going into the season because we’re so young. We lost 10 seniors from last year. But we’ve surprised ourselves and already come so close as a team. We’re really proving it to ourselves. If we want it more than other people we’re going to shoot for that Gold Ball.
Q: I noticed you wear the protective head gear. Why?
A: I got a really bad concussion falling off a treadmill in seventh grade and it was really important for me to wear it then and I don’t feel as confident without it now.
Q: Falling off a treadmill?
A: Just wanted to go for a run and I didn’t have the safety clip on and I fell off. It was not fun.
Q: Do you still use treadmills?
A: No.
Q: What other sports do you like to play?
A: I ski, not really competitive, and I play Ultimate Frisbee for the town in the spring. It’s extremly fun. I love it.
Q: Is it fun to play a club sport as opposed to a varsity sport?
A: It’s really fun. It’s a little more laid back. I mean it gets competitive, don’t get me wrong, but I love the coach. I love the people. No one’s exclusive. There’s not as much pressure.
Q: Because Cumberland has a rural feel, do you think of yourself as an outdoorsy type?
A: Yeah. I don’t think I get it from living in Cumberland but my dad (Steve Hutnak) is an outdoors guy so I think I get it from him. I like to go camping with him. I like to go fishing a lot.
Q: What’s the biggest fish you ever caught?
A: I don’t know. I always won a fishing derby when we went camping.
Q: You play alongside a dynamic player in Jocelyn Mitiguy. What’s it like to play with her?
A: She’s incredible. We’ve been playing on the same team since (recreation) soccer and we play premier together. So I’ve never been on a team without Jocelyn and it’s cool to have that one player that you can always rely on and know you work well together because we just get each other.
Q: Social media seems to be such a part of everybody’s lives these days. What form do you like to use?
A: I use Instagram and I like to share celebrations. If someone does well in the soccer game I’ll post a fun picture (or) if it’s a friend’s birthday. With Facebook it’s just to stay in touch with families you don’t live close to. I’m on (Twitter) but not that much.
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