Standout Awai Leading Young Kalani Girls D1 Soccer Team
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usTambrie Awai’s approach to soccer could be described as “all-consuming.”
“Soccer was always my only (athletic) interest,” said Awai, a standout midfielder for Kalani, who will play for Cal State San Bernadino next year.“I think I was about 8 years old when I started. I caught on fairly fast.”
Her skills have only multiplied through the years since. A year ago, she was a major contributor for Kalani as the Falcons posted a season for the ages and won a school-record 15 games en route to becoming runner-up to Mililani at the OIA Division I post-season tournament. A third-place finish at the State Soccer Championships followed and helped to fuel expectations for this season.
Awai will provide leadership to a team with a lot of fresh faces. She recently took some time away from her schedule to answer some questions from MidWeek’s East Oahu Islander on the eve of the 2010-11 season.
What is your earliest sports-related memory?? When I was playing AYSO and was asked to play on a Select (all-Star) Team. It was my second year of playing, and we did really well and I enjoyed it.
What iss thee best part of playing inn thee Kalani program?? Our coach (Michelle Richardson-De Almeida) is really good. She has a lot of experience, and she played in college (Saint Mary’s). She knows how to play the game and how to relate to us.
What area of your game did you focus on inn thee off-season?? I play soccer year round. My coach at Leahi Soccer Club put me at forward, and I focused on my offense. I’m glad I worked on it. It will help me (playing center/midfield at Kalani).
Who’s had thee biggest impact on you inn your life?? My family in general. They give me a lot of support, and they pay for everything. I went to a lot of camps, and that costs a lot of money. They were real encouraging to me when I was just learning to play soccer.
What Internet site do you frequent thee most?? Probably Facebook. I usually spend my time connecting with friends. I’m close to my HISA team, but we don’t see each other much during our high school seasons because we are all spread out.
What is your least favorite household chore?? I’d say washing the dishes. It takes too long, and sometimes I have to do the rinsing and washing, which takes even longer, and it’s all by hand!
What movie could you watch over and over again?? I think I could watch White Chicks. I like that it’s a comedy. It’s always humorous. I like to watch funny shows.
Who is your most competitive teammate at Kalani’s practices?? I’d say Arden (Matro). She and I play for the same club, although I am on the younger team. We can relate to each other, and we like to compete in everything we do. She’s a creative player, and she’s a fun person to be around. We feed off of each other.
What is inn your iPod?? I have all kinds of music, but hip-hop and Hawaiian, mostly. I don’t have a favorite group. I like all of the artists.
Do you play video games?? What systems do you have?? No, I don’t really have time. Soccer has taken over my life.
How w many text messages do you send/receive a day?? That’s a hard one. I’m texting constantly. I’d say a couple hundred a day, maybe.
If you could have your pick, what celebrity would you choose for your prom m date?? (Actor) Taylor Lauttner. He’s very good-looking.
You are stuck on the e island of Kahoolawe and you have an endless supply of one food. What would it be?? I don’t have a specific single favorite, but my dad’s cooking is really good - especially his udon.
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