Originally published in SW Weekly Oregonian, Saturday, July 2, 2011
Name: Maria Green
Age: 16
Hometown: West Linn, Oregon 
Grade/School: Junior at West Linn High School
Team Name: West Linn High School Track and Field Team
Recent accomplishments: “This season in Track and Field, I went to the Three Rivers League Varsity Districts meet and placed in three of my events. I received sixth in the girls javelin with a throw of 108’5” , first in the Four by 100 meter girls relay with a time of 48.95 seconds, and first in the girls high jump with a jump of 5’3” . I qualified in high jump and relay for the state meet at Hayward Field in Eugene. At state, my relay team made the finals with a time of 48.64 seconds, and finished sixth in state with a time of 48.86 seconds. In high jump, I took third place with a jump of 5’4”.”
How you got started: “I started getting interested in Track and Field when I was a lot younger. My sister was in the fourth grade and she joined a team with our community for fun, so I also joined as a kindergartner. Unfortunately, the community track and field team only lasted for one year, but in middle school I did track for a total of three years. And now I have done track for three years at my high school.”
Favorite part of sport: “My favorite part of Track and Field is that since there is a big selection of events, everyone can find one that they do really well. Everyone ends up doing totally different events, yet we all are on one team.”
Favorite meal the night before the big event: “My mom always likes to cook pasta or some kind of meat the night before my meets.”
Off-season? “I play volleyball for my high school team.”
Rules to live by: “I will never let a sport take over my life, because I do not want it to become something I don’t enjoy anymore.”
Memorable advice: “When I am competing at an intense level, I have to really focus on my mindset. I need to release all the pressures that I feel, and just know my Lord Jesus Christ is with me. I always say a little prayer before I jump, or run, or before a game. “
Other Hobbies: “I love to play guitar and sing, and I enjoy drawing and cooking. I am involved in Young Life, and I am an eighth grade girls leader for Wyldlife.”
On your iPod: “Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, The Black Keys, Chris Tomlin, Rebecca Black, Justin Bieber.”
The one thing someone may not know about you: “I like to make lists. It helps me remember things and keeps me somewhat organized.”
What’s next: “This summer I will be getting ready for my high school volleyball season happening in the fall. In the winter I will be preparing for my Track and Field season happening in the spring. I don’t know what I will do after that.”
Originally published in Oregonian:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/westlinn/2011/07/sports_spotlight_on_maria_gree.html
