Athlete of the Week - Windermere Observer: Jada Novoa

The Windermere Little League 12U Softball All-Stars team won both the Section 5 Tournament and the state tournament. Jada Novoa helped lead the way as one of the team’s top two pitchers and also at the plate, where she hit her first grand slam. In the state championship game, Novoa came on in relief to close out the victory.

What’s it like to make and win state two years in a row?

It’s awesome. It was a lot of fun last year — the competition. This year, we’re expecting competition again, and I can’t wait.

What did you learn from last year’s run?

I learned that it’s (a high level of) competition and you have to work your hardest.

You hit a grand slam during sectionals. What was that like?

That was a good feeling — I’ve never hit a grand slam before.

What’s your favorite part of the game and how do you approach that particular facet?

Pitching. I like to approach it that I’m going to throw strikes and have fun. I try to get all my pitches down and to not be scared — just be confident.

Many of the girls on the team play travel ball together and four, including yourself, were on last year’s team that won state. How valuable is that familiarity to the team?

It helps a lot because it’s just like we are playing any other time. We have a couple new girls on the team, but we just took them right in. We’re like a big family.

Why do you love softball?

I’ve been doing it since I was 4 years old, and if I didn’t like it, I would stop. It’s something I want to do for the rest of my career through college.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a zoologist. I love animals, and I would like to do marine biology. Monkeys and animals like that interest me, too.

What’s a unique animal you wish you could have?

Probably a horse ... I’ve always wanted to do horseback riding.

What’s something you learned about in school last year that was interesting?

Probably science stuff, like how DNA and how all that works.

What’s your favorite television show?

My favorite TV show is “One Tree Hill.” It kind of inspires me. It’s really interesting, and it’s just a good show.

What’s a hobby of yours that not a lot of people know about?

Dancing — I kind of just, on my own time when no one’s around, I like dancing. I do hip-hop dancing.