Cruz

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Cruz loves playing baseball and making new friends on the field—it’s like his favorite thing ever! He’s been crazy about baseball since he was little, watching games with his dad, who loves it just as much. Now he gets to play it himself, and that makes it even more awesome!

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

I like Aaron Judge because he’s really good at baseball, he hits the ball so far over the fence and sometimes even out of the stadium! He didn’t just wake up amazing, he had to practice a lot, just like me. He makes me want to play baseball. He always looks like he’s having fun, and he helps his team. I want to be like him, not just because he's a good guy who never gives up. Aaron Judge makes me feel like I can do big things too, even if I’m still l’m still little.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

This season, more than any other, made us the proudest of Cruz. It didn’t start easy, we hit some bumps early on, but he never let it get him down. He kept showing up, stayed positive, and worked hard every single day to get better. Cruz is the kind of teammate every coach wants: encouraging, supportive, and always putting the team first. Watching him grow this season, both as a player and a person, has been something truly special.