A CLOSER LOOK-MEET AMY LEON - (August 6, 2021)
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
ALBANY, NY - Returning for her Sophomore year, Amy Leon has a plan.
Born and raised in Elgin, Illinois, Amy is a grounded student athlete who has been kicking the soccer ball since the age of 4. It runs in the family. Her parents, who immigrated from Mexico, both played soccer and in Leagues in the U.S. once they settled in. Amy is the second oldest of 5 girls ranging in age from 18-26. "My mother put us into sports when we were very young. All of of us played." One of her younger sisters has enrolled in Judson University and is playing soccer as a freshmen. Another is in the National Guard. Amy and he sisters shared a bedroom for 13 years, nd no one seemed to mind, it was what they had and they are a very close family "...and we still had sleep overs with our cousins." The family had a duplex with her aunt right next door.
Amy is studying Criminal Justice. "In middle school, I met an officer in the school and he would tell stories. and I was drawn to what he had to say ... I want to be a detective; either narcotics or homicide." Recognizing the path to her aspirations, she explains the process to do just that.
Amy was recruited to play for the Bobcats. Speaking on that decision she is pleased with the college, program, housing, people, but she is looking forward to a season that the soccer team pretty much missed out on last year, as most athletes did. "I met some really great people and the experience overall was really fun. What I like is that [they] will make sure if we're okay and if we ever needed help with any school or personal problems that they would gladly help. The environment in school and at UH [student housing] was nice and the people as well. I don't regret it, I just wish we had a real soccer season."
Amy graduated from Larkin High School where she was named Captain for her Junior and Senior years. The team won the Hampshire High School Tournament 3 years in a row. She plays defense anywhere on the back line. Outside of high school soccer, she played for Chicago Soccer Academy and Elgin Soccer Club from the Age of 4-17.
High School Educational Awards include Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship, and All -Conference. She also received Honorable Mention in the soccer conference. She played semi -pro in the summer of 2019 for Elgin Puma Soccer Club with a tournament win. At a Las Vegas Tournament, the league played up from 15U to 20U. In a Minnesota tournament, Amy is excited to share that at a Minnesota Tournament she "...met people from Costa Rica and all over. ...one of my favorite memories."
PERSONAL FAVORITE MEMORY: When I was younger, me and my little sister and cousins were outside swimming in a pool. It was hailing and we had such a good time. The next day we went bike riding in the rain. My parents knew where we were, and that we were safe- they let us do those things."
FAVORITE HOBBY: Baking "I baked for the some baseball players at UH"
FAVORITE ATHLETE: Julia Ertz, US Women's National Team= "I don't watch much tv, but when I see her play I really like the way she plays, the way she moves the ball and the way she plays. It's like my little sister, she is the only one who doesn't play defense, but I love how she plays."
INSPIRATION: "At school, I get up and make the day the best it can be. At work, my inspiration is money. I need it when I go back to college. I'm off season -but preparing for the season and have learned the value of hard work."
FAVORITE QUOTE, A BIBLE VERSE: "For everyone who asks, receives; the one who seeks, finds, the one who knocks, the door will open." Matthew 7;8
This summer Amy has been working at an aerospace company in the quality department. "I'm excited about coming back, and actually getting out there and playing."
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