The Kent Reporter athletes of the week for the week of Mar. 21 are from Kent-Meridian; Riley Gardner (Sr.) fastpitch, Keilor Cacho-Garcia (Sr.) soccer.

What do you value in your sport or about your team?

Gardner :Energy and effort! It’s just fun.

Cacho-Garcia:I appreciate that we never stop fighting

What have you learned from your sport that you can take with you throughout your life/future?

Gardner: To work hard and always look at the bright side, life’s more fun that way.

Cacho-Garcia:I have learned to be a good person and a humble person

What do you do when you aren’t motivated and what helps you stay motivated?

Gardner: Listen to music (happy music) and make sure I’m there for my team.

Cacho-Garcia:When I am not motivated, I talk to my parents, and they motivate me.

Do you have a favorite pre-game meal?

Gardner: Homemade alfredo sauce with bowtie pasta and sauteed shrimp and lots of water.

Cacho-Garcia: No, I don’t like to eat before games.

What advice would you give to a teammate that is struggling?

Gardner: My advice would be to never stop fighting for what they want to do.

Cacho-Garcia: My advice would be to never stop fighting for what they want to do.

From the sidelines:

Gardner: Riley is an amazing person and athlete. She is a team leader and is always willing to do whatever is asked to better the team. Early in her senior year Riley hurt her knew, she made the choice to continue playing during her senior year. She has delt with her limitations by showing perseverance, determination of intelligence. Any college, business or program will be lucky to have her as she moves on to bigger things next year.

Cacho-Garcia: Keilor has been called up to the Sounder U-18 Academy. He will be playing his first high school game on Thursday. He was first team NPSL last year and hopes to build on the good production (leading KM scorer) from last year.