The News-Press takes great pride in selecting athletes who have shone brightly in the previous week. This selection is based on a careful combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to sports@news-press.com, along with our extensive coverage. These selected athletes are then put up for a poll each Monday on news-press.com, where our readers get to vote on who they believe performed the best. The winners of The News-Press Athlete of the Week poll, sponsored by Elevate Home Services, receive a T-shirt provided by BSN Sports and a tote bag from the USA Today High School Sports Awards. To provide a more in-depth look at our winners, The News-Press will be conducting a question-and-answer session with each athlete.

The News-Press Athlete of the Week - December 2-7: Mariner Girls Soccer Player Kamila Pena

How It All Began

Kamila Pena's journey into soccer began when her parents put her in the sport. She initially saw it as a way to find something to live for and bring happiness into her life. "I just went into it thinking, 'Hey, I need to play a sport.' And ever since that first kick of the ball, I knew it was a sport I loved, and I've been playing it ever since," she shared.

The Big Win Against the No. 1 Team

Pena scored both goals for Mariner on free kicks as they defeated the nation's then-No. 1 ranked team, Plantation American Heritage, with a score of 2-1. This victory earned her the nomination. When asked about the experience, she said, "Amazing, an amazing feeling. I didn't do it for anyone else. I just knew I needed to capitalize on the moments we had. And when I got those two chances, I had to finish it, especially the second goal. With just two minutes left, I knew I had to score for the team, and it was an incredible feeling to see my team happy with me and to know we had beaten the No. 1 team."

The Practice That Paid Off

Those long free-kick goals were no accident. Pena dedicated a lot of time and effort to practicing. "A lot of practice, just always working. Every day, even just 30 minutes out on the fields practicing free kicks. My mom was always with me, and my dad too. We would just go out there and kick the ball around and practice that. Because that's what it takes to get far in life, in anything - school, soccer. And seeing those goals finally pay off was a great feeling," she explained.

Pregame Rituals and Superstitions

Music plays a crucial role in Pena's pregame routine. "Listen to music. That's like my No. 1 thing to get in the mindset. Even the day before, I try to get my mind right and be ready for the game, no matter who we're playing. Spanish music, like Bad Bunny, Rauw, or anyone really Spanish. It just gets the hype going," she said.

Season Goals

Pena's goals for herself and her team this season are clear. "Get us to states. That's my No. 1 goal for myself and the team. Of course, we want to get back there and show everyone that Mariner has what it takes and that we can win again at states," she expressed with determination.