East County Athlete of the Week: Maddie Baehr

Maddie Baehr is a sophomore midfielder on the Braden River High girls soccer team. Baehr has four goals and four assists in the Pirates' first three games of the 2023-2024 season, which began Nov. 7 against Charlotte High, a 6-2 road win. The Pirates are 3-0 as of Nov. 17. 

When did you start playing soccer?

I started when I was 4. I always wanted to do whatever my dad (Matt Baehr) was doing, and he played soccer. I've been doing it ever since. 

What is the appeal to you?

I love the competitiveness of it, and I like that it is physical while still letting players be creative. There are not a lot of set plays like in other sports. I also like being on a big team.

What is your best skill?

My speed and my crossing ability. I've always been fast, but I've also been playing (flag) football recently, and that has helped me with my conditioning and my explosiveness in the last year or so. 

What have you been working to improve?

My finishing and my shooting. I've always been more comfortable with crossing, but recently with my speed I have been able to get a bit more central on the field and there have been more opportunities to score. It has been necessary for me to have a better shot. 

What is your favorite soccer memory?

In 2012 I got to meet some of the U.S. Women's National Team at IMG Academy, Carly Lloyd and Abby Wambach and Hope Solo. I was so nervous, so I didn't say much, but I got a picture with them. That was pretty awesome. 

What are your goals for this season?

We want to win our district tournament this year. Last year we made it to the tournament finals but we lost (3-0 against Parrish Community High). To get back there and win it this time is the biggest goal. 

What is your favorite food?

I love anything Italian. 

What is your favorite TV show?

I like both "Suits" and "Criminal Minds" a lot.

What is your favorite school subject?

World history. I like learning about explorers and how they discovered different countries. 

What are your hobbies?

A few of my friends' families have boats, so I'll hang out with them on a boat. I also like to go to the beach. 

Which super power would you pick? 

Super speed. It would be helpful for soccer, plus I could get wherever I needed to go pretty quickly. 

What is the best advice you have received?

Control what you can control. I think that is important for your mindset. Focus on every that you can work on that day. Don't let what others say or do get in the way of your goals. 

Finish this sentence: "Maddie Baehr is … "

Bubbly. I like to be happy and funny and light.