MILTON-FREEWATER — Very rarely do you see a student-athlete go to two different practices in the span of one day. However, McLoughlin High School senior Daniela Angel goes from cheer practice to one of her three other sports routinely. After playing soccer in the fall and basketball in the winter, Angel was on pace to fulfill her goal for tennis — making it to the regional tournament. Those plans all changed when COVID-19 put all spring sports on hold.

“It kind of sucks that I couldn’t play anymore; my plan was to go further this year,” Angel said.

A member of a local AAU basketball team, Angel also felt the effect away from school when all that was scheduled was canceled for that sport as well.

“I’m trying to play college basketball. This season was very important for me to have. I really needed it,” Angel said.

Although both those sports abruptly ended for her due to this pandemic, Angel looked to remain proactive. She took it upon herself while at home to stay in shape during the spring. She quickly realized that the biggest hurdle of training alone was maintaining accountability.

“During this whole quarantine I would practice on my own as much as I could,” Angel said. “It sucked because you don’t have your coach pushing you. I always need someone to push me because I can get unmotivated really easily. I had to push through that.”

A big component of her training was cardio, which Angel was able to accomplish going on runs with her mom.

“Every morning I would wake up and go with my mom and do a run,” Angel said. “Sometimes I would do a mile, sometimes I would do three miles and sometimes I would do short sprints.”

Midway through the summer, Angel was able to return to McLoughlin to train with her teammates in both soccer and basketball for a couple of weeks. Angel was content to be back with her team.

“It was really nice seeing all my teammates. There were quite a bit of girls that would show up, and that made me really happy,” Angel said.

Looking toward her senior year, Angel realizes the changes to her normal school routine she will have to face. As the Oregon School Activities Association shuffled around the activities calendar, Angel’s first organized sporting event would be basketball toward the end of December, and she won’t be back on the soccer field until around March. She is going to take the first few months of this school year as an opportunity to be ready more than ever.

“If you look at the bright side it’s actually cool that we have more time,” Angel said. “We have extra time to train. It’s actually kind of an advantage.”

The schedule changes present new problems to some student-athletes, but not Angel. She encourages her fellow student-athletes to prioritize time management not just on but off the field.

“Keep your grades up and use your class time wisely,” Angel said.

If everything is looking safe enough for sports to return, Angel would be surprised but would be ready to go back to partaking in all of her sports.

“I’d be very excited to go back,” Angel said.

However, if this pandemic ends up finishing her high school sports career prematurely, Angel would be devastated.

“I would be really upset. I didn’t get to even play one last time,” Angel said. “The last time I played, I didn’t even know it was my last time.”

After she graduates this school year, Angel aspires to continue her career in basketball at any level of college. She is looking forward to studying to become a registered nurse.

Favorite sport to play and why?

I would have to say basketball just because I have been playing it the longest and I love it. 

Favorite sport to watch and why?

Probably basketball again. I have been watching it since I was really little and watching my brothers play. We just really liked it. 

Favorite thing to do that is not sports related?

Hanging out with my family.

Best high school athletic moment so far?

When we were in basketball season my junior year, we were playing against La Grande. We were really close! Playing against La Grande and almost beating them, that felt really great. 

Fun fact few people know about you?

I’m double jointed!