Athlete of the Week: Daniel Reyna

Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch seventh-grader Daniel Reyna scored five goals while helping lead the Sharks to a 2-1 record to open the season. This is the 12-year-old midfielder’s first year playing for Imagine. Here is an inside look at this week’s Athlete of the Week.

What does it mean to you to be able to help your team in such a positive way?
It felt exciting. It’s different from club, because you have a good feeling that you’re supporting your school and making a name for it in sports.

How long have you been playing soccer?
I’ve been playing about seven years. My cousins played a lot, and I used to watch them. I wanted to try it, because it looked really fun.

What do you enjoy the most about soccer?
Dribbling the ball when I’m all by myself in open space. The crowd is cheering you on. When you get an open shot where it’s just you and goalie, you get this feeling in your stomach.

Do you play any other sports?
I play defensive end for the Manatee Wildcats.

Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?
I want to either own my own shoe brand or be a professional athlete in whichever sport I can get a scholarship in first.

Do you have any siblings?
I have two sisters, Amiyah and Dianelly, and a brother, Davian.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Italy — for their food.

Who is your biggest role model?
Javier Hernandez. He started playing for the Mexican soccer team at a really young age. It showed me that I could become anything at any point in time as long as I keep on trying.

What’s your favorite subject?
Math. All of the numbers make you think.

Do you have a favorite sports team?
Manchester United. Every time I watched soccer, they were always on top; and my role model was the first Mexican soccer player to play for Manchester United.