With the 2018 season just on the horizon, the summer is the perfect chance to get to know some of the incoming freshmen who will don the Crimson and Gray in the fall. First up is Huntington Park, Calif. native, Elaily Hernandez-Repreza.
What made you want to be a Coug?
When I went to visit Washington State University I immediately fell in love with the campus and the vibe it gave off. Everyone was so welcoming and whenever I had questions I knew I could ask anyone. Also, there are not that many schools that are college towns like this one. For any sport event, people come to support the Cougars because they love going and cheering them on. I have never gone to a big school so experiencing that would be amazing. I want to be a part of a big school where people come out to support whatever sport is playing. I want to get butterflies in my stomach whenever I step out on the field and play my heart out for the Coug fans. The people, the students, the fans, the school, and the atmosphere all made me want to become a Coug.
What do you love about soccer?
I love that soccer is unpredictable. You can be losing at one moment and then all of a sudden things just switch up and you can end up winning the game. I love how there's thinking to it. People who don't know much about soccer might think that soccer is just running up and down the field but there's so much more than that. Soccer also creates long lasting friendships. Soccer also can open doors for people, like me. I have gotten so many opportunities that I would've never imagined and that is all to soccer. I have been able to travel to places I would've never imagined but I was able to go because of soccer. Soccer is also a sport that is played in so many areas. Soccer also brings people from all over the world together.
What do you hope to get out of your time at Washington State?
I want to receive a good education, improve my soccer career, and also create long lasting friendships. I want a good education so I have a good career. I know that soccer is not forever and I need to get an education that will help me support myself and my family, further down in the future. I also want to grow as an athlete and try to continue my soccer career as long as possible. I know that with soccer and school I will meet a lot of new people and I hope that some of those people that I met will impact my life in a good way, and I hope to do the same.
Who inspired you athletically to pursue your collegiate dreams?
My family. They all have supported me and made so many sacrifices so I can pursue this dream of mine. They all of been supportive of my decision and when they saw I had talent they all pushed me harder. Also, my coaches have inspired me to pursue my collegiate dreams. My coaches have seen what I am capable of and expect nothing less from me, off the field and on the field.
If you weren't playing soccer what would you be doing and why?
If I wasn't playing soccer I would be in gymnastics. Before I started my soccer career I was in love with gymnastics (which I was pretty good at, lol). If I wasn't in school or at gymnastics practice I was at UCLA watching competitions. I would do flips anywhere there was enough space to do them. Gymnastics was a big part of my life until the day came where i had to make a decision, soccer or gymnastics. I chose soccer but I made sure that I kept gymnastics close to my heart.
What is something unique/special that only your closest friends know about you?
My close friends know my full story. My friends know how hard I have worked to get to where I am. They know my story and my family's story. Not everyone knows my story nor asks about how I got to where I am today but them. They also know me, sometimes even better than I know myself. They know what I like and what I don't like. They can read me and not everyone can do that.
If you could go anywhere or do anything what would it be and why?
I would want to go to see the World Cup to watch Brazil play. Brazil has always been my favorite team whenever the World Cup comes around. Since soccer has always been a really big part of my family, every four years whenever the World Cup is on we all get together to watch. Going to the World Cup has always been a dream of mine. Or, I would go to Barcelona to visit Camp Nou, the stadium of Barcelona. Barcelona is my favorite team and going to their stadium and watching the Classico would actually be a dream come true. I go to games here in LA but it is not the same here as it is over there. In Barcelona they have so much heart and I would love to experience something like that.
What made you want to be a Coug?
When I went to visit Washington State University I immediately fell in love with the campus and the vibe it gave off. Everyone was so welcoming and whenever I had questions I knew I could ask anyone. Also, there are not that many schools that are college towns like this one. For any sport event, people come to support the Cougars because they love going and cheering them on. I have never gone to a big school so experiencing that would be amazing. I want to be a part of a big school where people come out to support whatever sport is playing. I want to get butterflies in my stomach whenever I step out on the field and play my heart out for the Coug fans. The people, the students, the fans, the school, and the atmosphere all made me want to become a Coug.
What do you love about soccer?
I love that soccer is unpredictable. You can be losing at one moment and then all of a sudden things just switch up and you can end up winning the game. I love how there's thinking to it. People who don't know much about soccer might think that soccer is just running up and down the field but there's so much more than that. Soccer also creates long lasting friendships. Soccer also can open doors for people, like me. I have gotten so many opportunities that I would've never imagined and that is all to soccer. I have been able to travel to places I would've never imagined but I was able to go because of soccer. Soccer is also a sport that is played in so many areas. Soccer also brings people from all over the world together.
What do you hope to get out of your time at Washington State?
I want to receive a good education, improve my soccer career, and also create long lasting friendships. I want a good education so I have a good career. I know that soccer is not forever and I need to get an education that will help me support myself and my family, further down in the future. I also want to grow as an athlete and try to continue my soccer career as long as possible. I know that with soccer and school I will meet a lot of new people and I hope that some of those people that I met will impact my life in a good way, and I hope to do the same.
Who inspired you athletically to pursue your collegiate dreams?
My family. They all have supported me and made so many sacrifices so I can pursue this dream of mine. They all of been supportive of my decision and when they saw I had talent they all pushed me harder. Also, my coaches have inspired me to pursue my collegiate dreams. My coaches have seen what I am capable of and expect nothing less from me, off the field and on the field.
If you weren't playing soccer what would you be doing and why?
If I wasn't playing soccer I would be in gymnastics. Before I started my soccer career I was in love with gymnastics (which I was pretty good at, lol). If I wasn't in school or at gymnastics practice I was at UCLA watching competitions. I would do flips anywhere there was enough space to do them. Gymnastics was a big part of my life until the day came where i had to make a decision, soccer or gymnastics. I chose soccer but I made sure that I kept gymnastics close to my heart.
What is something unique/special that only your closest friends know about you?
My close friends know my full story. My friends know how hard I have worked to get to where I am. They know my story and my family's story. Not everyone knows my story nor asks about how I got to where I am today but them. They also know me, sometimes even better than I know myself. They know what I like and what I don't like. They can read me and not everyone can do that.
If you could go anywhere or do anything what would it be and why?
I would want to go to see the World Cup to watch Brazil play. Brazil has always been my favorite team whenever the World Cup comes around. Since soccer has always been a really big part of my family, every four years whenever the World Cup is on we all get together to watch. Going to the World Cup has always been a dream of mine. Or, I would go to Barcelona to visit Camp Nou, the stadium of Barcelona. Barcelona is my favorite team and going to their stadium and watching the Classico would actually be a dream come true. I go to games here in LA but it is not the same here as it is over there. In Barcelona they have so much heart and I would love to experience something like that.