By Hannah Chadwick 

  For the first time in years, TPA’s high school football team has become co-ed with the addition of senior Maia Carbajal. 

   When starting the season, the team realized they needed a kicker and thought, who better than star soccer player Maia Carbajal?

   As early as age 5, Maia started playing soccer and has competed on a club team ever since. Starting in sixth grade, she has also played for the TPA middle and high school girls’ soccer teams.

   Thanks to Maia’s hard work and talent, she has developed a strong kick and, as a result, she stood out as a potential candidate for TPA’s new football kicker.

   Maia decided she would take on the opportunity to try something new in a different sport. “It seemed like it would be something fun and new,” she said. “It’s also my senior year so I wanted to do something outside of my comfort zone.”

   Since joining the team, Maia has already achieved her goal of kicking field goals. In fact, she kicked in several games, and made 8 extra points, including one field goal.

   “My best accomplishment this season is making almost every field goal I have taken,” Maia says. “I have only missed one out or three kicks and I’m proud of that.”

   Maia has also learned more about the game and bonded with the team, two things she hoped to accomplish during her time on the team. 

   “Being the kicker on the team has been a great experience,” she says. “I have learned a lot about the game and the team has accepted me, which has led to making more friends on the team.”