Interview with AAPI Athletes

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, The Record celebrates the success and accomplishment of AAPI athletes in the school community by interviewing two Senior Varsity athletes. 

 

Atalia Navarro ’21 is a three-year Senior and member of the Girls Varsity Volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee teams.

 

What is your favorite part of school athletics?

I loved the bus rides during away games. I equally loved the food that came along with the bus rides. I also loved Taft day. Last year was my first year on a Varsity team for Taft day, and I had so much fun. The gym was so crowded and there was so much energy; it was a very memorable experience.

 

What has your experience been like as an Asian athlete?

My Lower Mid year, I played on the JV Volleyball team. I had a really good experience, and enjoyed my time with the team. During my Upper Mid year, I made it onto Varsity volleyball. I found myself never truly fitting in with the team, because I was the only Asian on the team. It was tough, because there were some people who thought others should have made the team over me. For the whole season, my mindset was to always prove that I can be on this team just as much as everyone else. It was hard, but I think, because it was hard, it helped me become a much better player and my coaches recognized that. I can see how my troubles have come to help me grow as a stronger person.

 

Does being an Asian athlete affect your performance in any way?

Yes. When I would go into a game, I would tell myself that this is my time and show them that I can do it. But once I make a mistake on court; it starts to go downhill. I would say negative comments to myself, like “I am exactly what they thought I was” or “I don’t deserve to be on this team.” This was hard to overcome. After a while, I learned to use it as a way to improve more and work hard, so I can show them that I deserve this spot just as much as everyone else.

 

How have you overcome challenges?

I would tell myself to keep on working harder each day. Once I heard encouraging feedback from my coaches and teammates, that made me realize that what I am doing is working. It helped me to become a better player. I tell myself to get through the day, and I’ll do the same for tomorrow and be better.

 

Michael Zhang ’21 is a four-year Senior and member of the Boys Varsity Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee teams.

 

What is your favorite part of school athletics?

My favorite part about the Hotchkiss athletic program is the [team] culture. There is a very strong sense of grit and competitive spirit, with the premise that everyone is competing for one another and not bringing each other down.

 

What has your experience been like being a Pan-Asian athlete?

When I was new to the school, I had a difficult time adjusting to Hotchkiss culture. I took some misunderstandings to be people excluding me, rather than realizing that they were immature kids being ignorant. 

 

Does being an Asian athlete affect your performance in any way?

No. As a player, I have always been the type to focus and work hard, and everyone can do that regardless of their ethnicity.

 

How have you overcome challenges?

I learned to be more self-assured. Once I started to advocate for myself, I realized that my teammates just didn’t know I was there, because I wasn’t speaking up. I don’t blame anyone; it was just something I had to learn transitioning here.