ROCKINGHAM — Senior soccer player Avy Lucero has been named the ROSports Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week presented by Moss Brothers Tires & Service.
This will be The Richmond Observer’s final weekly spotlight on local athletes amid the current spring sports suspension. Instead of it being a performanced-based recognition, the articles will be written using a “meet the athlete” perspective.
Lucero, who has been a four-year starter on defense for the Lady Raiders, is celebrating her first career selection.
Athletic Profile
Age: 17
Birthday: Sept. 25, 2002
Year: Senior
Spring Sport: Soccer
Position: Center Back
Years on Varsity: 4 years
Height & Weight: 5-2, 125 pounds
Experience: 13 years
“HOLDING THE LINE” WITH AVY LUCERO
A staple on the back line for the Lady Raiders since her freshman year, Lucero has been a big part of the program’s success since she started. At center back, she’s helped lock down the defense and was serving as one of Richmond’s captains this spring.
Through five matches this spring before the NCHSAA suspended play, Lucero had one goal. She kicked the game-winning penalty shot against Purnell Swett High School on March 6.
RSHS Academics: Lucero and her fellow Richmond Senior High School students are acclimating themselves to online learning as school is out through at least May 15.
This semester, Lucero is taking Foods I with Jennifer Grooms, World History with James McMillan, Game Design with Ty Bostick and Printing and Advertising with Dan Brown. She’s also a member of the World Language Club.
“My favorite class this semester has been Game Design,” Lucero said. “Mr. Bostick is a really good teacher and I like the material he teaches.
“I’m adjusting to online classes pretty well. I’m used to people explaining things, there’s a lot more reading, but it’s going okay.”
College Aspirations: Lucero just celebrated a career milestone, committing to play at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte. Under regular circumstances, Lucero would have had a signing day, but she said she’s still excited about her future. She plans on studying media and communications.
“I went on a few visits, and my brother Victor plays there,” Lucero explained. “The coach and the team are really welcoming, and it wasn’t like any other visit I went on.
“Johnson & Wales felt like home for the next four years. I’m very excited because it’s a whole other level of soccer and I think it’ll be a whole new experience for me.”
Combating Coronavirus: With play suspended and her future college career set, Lucero isn’t letting COVID-19 slow her down.
“Every day I do something different to stay active,” she explained. “I run, workout one day with the ball, lift on another day. I’m just trying to stay in shape and get in better shape for college.
“The coach from Johnson & Wales has been sending me workouts,” Lucero added. “And I’ve been talking and video chatting with my (Richmond) teammates.”
Lady Raider Chats: Due to the coronavirus outbreak and school being suspended until May 15, ROSports did not do a video interview with Lucero. Instead, she participated in a phone interview and answered the following questions regarding her performance so far this season.
ROSports: Explain what the last four years have been like being the center of Richmond’s defense?
Lucero: It’s been really fun. I’ve met a lot of girls and we’ve formed a family each year. There is always a lot of great chemistry on and off the field.
ROSports: What have some of your favorite memories been during your time as a Lady Raider soccer player?
Lucero: My favorite memory was playing my first game as a freshman and finding out that I was starting. It scared me a little but I was really happy. Another favorite memory was being named captain this year.
ROSports: If you could play any other position on the field, which would it be and why?
Lucero: I’d want to play forward just because of how I shoot and it would give me more scoring opportunities.
ROSports: Name a color that represents your personality and explain why you chose that color.
Lucero: I’d say yellow because it’s bright and a lot of people think I’m a positive person. I talk to a lot of people and am pretty goofy most of the time.
ROSports: Who is your favorite artist to listen to while warming up or practicing?
Lucero: J. Cole because his music gets me really hyped before games. He has all different types of songs and his music is really diverse.
ROSports will continue Athlete of the Week features when high school sports resume.
