her hometown of Beaverton, Oregon. By juggling, we mean juggling nonstop while walking across the city, ordering at a drive-thru, playing on a park slide and sinking a basketball shot with her legs, and never dropping the ball.
Exhibit A:
The 12-year-old, who lives just outside Portland, has been playing the sport since she was 3, and has been participating in professional soccer player Yael Averbuch's YouTube challenges to take on tricks and film them. Katelyn currently plays for Tualatin Hills United Soccer Club, and says the sport allows her to express herself.
"It gives me a sense to feel accomplished," Katelyn tells the Good News Blog. "I can express my talents."
Up, around, over and through, Katelyn has been expressing herself in the community and online, periodically uploading videos and even getting a response from Averbuch to a move she created. As part of the pro's charge, Katelyn put together what she dubbed the "Triple Trick Challenge" and actually got a response from Averbuch.
What seems to be most impressive is Katelyn's determination to outdo herself. When she was 10, the eighth-grader set a personal juggling record of 5,000 touches without the soccer ball hitting the ground, and over the past year she has been working on a number of new juggling tricks to advance her skill. Many of these tricks she was able to incorporate into her "Walkabout Video," which now has close to 30,000 views.
Katelyn says the trick to her tricks is never letting a moment go to waste.
She adds, "A lot of practice and focus and always working hard and just trying all the time. Always having my soccer ball with me." Perhaps a little imagination too!
0 Response to "Is There Anything This 12-Year-Old Can't Do with a Soccer Ball?"
Post a Comment