Overtime: Sophomore balances demands of multiple sports

October 20, 2011 • Bernie Ceniceros  
Filed under Sports

Absorbed by the game and committed to the team, sophomore Aspen Hulme loves football and plays as one of the back-up kickers for the Varsity team, where he is one of the youngest players on the squad. He thinks it is something that’s gotten better over time.

“At first it was awkward, but now I’m just a part of the team and I fit in well,” Hulme said. “I’m very excited [to be here] and I’m having a great time.”

Aspen has been playing football since he was in seventh grade. His brother, who is a few years older, also played the sport and was one of the factors that helped Aspen excel.

“My brother used to play football at a private school,” he said. “We would always play at home, and that always gave me a competitive edge. I loved it.”

His brother isn’t the only person whom he looks up to.

“Nick Bruno and Andrew Vega are the seniors ahead of me,” Hulme said. “They are both really good and I learn a lot watching them play. I watch how they kick and their technique.”

Football isn’t the only sport that Aspen plays competitively, however. He loves to play soccer and played as the starting goalkeeper for the school’s JV team last year as a freshman.

“It’s not easy, balancing both sports. You just have to make time for the two,” he said. “But thankfully football ends before soccer starts, so that I’m able to shift my focus and stay in shape.”

Whether it’s playing on the gridiron or on the pitch, he said he is enjoying his time and gives his best while wearing maroon.

“It’s great. It’s a lot of fun to be involved in sports and have that team bond,” Hulme said. “Even though I’m one of the young ones on both teams, it will give me experience to lead the new players when I get older. Either way it’s a good feeling just to be wearing our colors and representing the school.”