East County Athlete of the Week: Brooklyn Lucero

Brooklyn Lucero is a sophomore pitcher/designated player for the Lakewood Ranch High Mustangs. Lucero threw five shutout innings and went 2-for-4 April 11 in the Mustangs' 7-0 road win against rival Braden River High.  Her season ERA is 2.00 and she's hitting .442 with 12 RBI. 

When did you start playing softball?

When I was 6 in Loma, Colo. It was this small farm town. We owned 10 acres of mostly alfalfa. My sister Cassandra Lucero played softball. I watched her play and my own love of the game grew from there. 

What is the appeal to you?

I enjoy the physical challenge of playing in the heat and the mental challenge of pitching. You almost beat up yourself over it. It tests who you are as a person. 

What is your favorite memory?

Going to California last summer with my Tampa Mustangs travel team. I had never played softball in California before, and we got to play a ton of games while there (competing in the PGF Nationals). 

What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

People have sometimes told me I can't do stuff, like field a ground ball or run. It makes me happy to prove them wrong and make them look silly. They might be right about me being slow. I'm not the fastest. 

What is your favorite food?

There's this thing called pozole that my mom (Glenda Lucero) makes. It's big in New Mexico. It's almost like a soup, and it's got pork in it. It's so good. 

What is your dream vacation?

I want to go to Italy or Spain and stay a while. Just backpack and look around. 

What is your biggest fear?

Either spiders or clowns. With spiders, even the little ones scare me. 

What is the top quality you look for in a person?

Honesty. I was raised to always tell the truth. I don't like lying. 

What is the best advice you have received?

My mom always says, "If you're good, you tell people. If you're great, people tell you." It's a reminder to stay humble. 

Finish this sentence: "Brooklyn Lucero is ... "

... Goofy, I guess? I joke around a lot, but I also get serious when it's time to be serious.