Willis ISD
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LOOKING ONWARD: Nickel building on Willis legacy
IT TAKES A SPECIAL KIND OF PERSON TO CONTINUALLY EXCEL ON THE TRACK, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE TOUGH COMPETITION THAT CONROE ISD OFFERS ON A YEARLY BASIS.
Among the imposing roster that Willis features, senior Daniel Nickel has made a name for himself.
Originally a football player for the Wildcats, Nickel eventually found himself gravitating towards the track and field program.
“My story in the sport began my sophomore year,” he said. “Football just wasn’t my thing anymore, since I suffered some concussions. From there, I think that track is where I thrived. The one-on-one coaching was definitely a little different for me, and I felt much better about it. I made varsity that year and haven’t looked back.”
Given his considerable speed, Nickel competes in the 100m, 200m and 400m dash for Willis. He has a proclivity for the 200-meter dash in particular, due to the “sweet-spot” distance he knows that he can excel in.
“Ultimately, I plan on breaking the school record in the 200m this year,” Nickel said. “Down the line, I hope to acquire my first Division I offer, while I compete for the team. I don’t really have any hobbies outside of this sport. I dedicate all my time to track, so I hope something like that will happen.”
Since this is his final year with the program, Nickel reflected on what the sport has meant to him and what he will do in the future.
“It means everything to me,” he said. “I feel like I’ve built something here, and I hope to leave a legacy for other kids to look up to. I want to prove that anything is possible. My first 100m time was 11.90 seconds during my freshman year, and I recently ran a 10.80 despite having a bad start.
“That sets me up for a great season, and I want to show that you can do anything when you put your mind to it.”
The Wildcats reached the Regional Meet a year ago and brings back the majority of that roster this Spring.
If the rest of the Willis team share a similar passion as Nickel, the Wildkats should be in for a thrilling performance down the stretch.
ONE OF THE BOYS: Mentado-Perez living up to family name
WHY IS CHELSEA MENTADO-PEREZ SO GOOD AT SOCCER?
Well, she has a theory.
The junior mid-fielder is the only girl in a family of four siblings, who all played soccer.
“Growing up with three brothers can be frustrating, but makes you tough,” she laughed. “They are always messing with me, but they have made me a better soccer player. I never wanted to sit and watch them play as their sister, so I grew up playing soccer on boys teams. I’ve been like that since I was little. I always wanted to play.”
She, like her older brothers, have played varsity since her freshman year. Her little brother is a freshman and also plays varsity soccer.
With a high soccer IQ, it’s no surprise that she is the quarterback on the field.
“I love to move the ball around the field and get my teammates involved as a mid- fielder,” she said. “I just see the field really well and love to attack the defense by setting my attackers up for success.”
Her play as a sophomore was paramount in the team’s success as they made the postseason for the first time since moving up to the Class 6A classification. The ‘Kats won a playoff game against Aldine to advance to the Area Round.
This season, Mentado-Perez is the team’s leading scorer as they chase a playoff spot.
“I love this team and playing with all my friends,” she said. “Our chemistry is so good, and we just treat each other with respect. Everyone says it, but we are really a family.”
Off the pitch, she loves to go on walks with her animals, watching car movies and listening to anything that “relaxes” her.
“I’m a very hyper, outdoorsy person,” she laughed. “I love to listen to chill music to call me down sometimes.”
Again, she’s just one of the boys.