This week’s athletes of the week are Desnee Johnson and Noah Pla. Johnson is a junior in the Academy of Finance on the Lady Cavaliers basketball team and scored 23 points towards their win against district rival, Braddock. Pla is a senior in the CAF&DM academy and is on the wrestling team. He went 6-0 in the tournament at Coral Park.

Johnson has also had success in her other sports, such as flag football; click here to read more about her other successes.

Interview with Pla:

How long have you been wrestling?

Pla: I have been doing wrestling for about four years

Why did you start wrestling?

Pla: I started wrestling because my cousin was the captain back in 1995 here at Coral Gables, and he thought I should do it because he thought I would be great at it

What is your favorite part about wrestling?

Pla: My favorite part is the moment that you win – it’s just the greatest feeling in the world

How do you balance school and athletics?

Pla: That’s a hard one because wrestling consumes most of your time, but when you have to, you just got to be up late doing homework, or all night since you are cutting weight most of the day and most of the evening.

Do you play any other sports or do you have any hobbies?

Pla: I mostly just wrestle.

What is your goal for this season?

Pla: I hope to get a district title this year and a GMAC title

What kind of training did you have to go through to get to this point?

Pla: I practice about four hours a day and then after practice I am here until about seven or eight o’clock. I am working out and I am running. I probably lose about eight pounds a week, every week.

What is your favorite wrestling memory?

Pla: My favorite wrestling memory is when I teched[technical fall] the Coral Park 126 and I beat him 19-4.

 

Interview with Johnson

How long have you been playing basketball?

Johnson: For six years.

Why did you start playing basketball?

Johnson: It was always a thing that I picked up on when I was younger.

What is your favorite part about being on the Coral Gables team?

Johnson: Being able to play with family and having that bond and being able to work as one.

How do you balance school and athletics?

Johnson: I try doing my best to focus on school first and after I focus on sports.

Do you play any other sports or do you have hobbies?

Johnson: I do track and flag football.

What is your goal for this season?

Johnson: To work hard and to make it to the playoffs and to do our best and see how the season turns out

What kind of training did you have to go through to get to this point?

Johnson: When I was younger I used to always work one on one with private coaches and I just got better from that.

Do you want to play after high school?

Johnson: Yes.

Do you have any favorite basketball memories?

Johnson: Not that I can recall.

Make sure to congratulate these athletes on their success and make sure to wish them good luck on their future triumphs.