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VYPE-U: The Astounding Kimaari Mondy
Feb 08, 2021
As an athlete myself, I understand that, sometimes, there are players who essentially risk it all for the game and the position. During practice, we are often reminded about the importance of acknowledging that, in lacrosse, our goalies risk their entire bodies to defend the goal. They may throw themselves on the ground, they may get on their knees, or risk some essential part. Kimaari Mondy is a Junior at Townview Magnet Center who has been playing for Bridge Lacrosse for six years now. From watching her play, I can one-hundred percent agree that she is one of the most hard-working athletes on the field. During games, you can see the drive she has in her eyes, and how important defending the cage is to her.
<p> Mondy has not only played goalie but has also played on the field. Her first year with Bridge she was an attacker who moved the ball well but after that season their team no longer had a goalie so she decided to step up and try the position out. We can all agree that it went very well for her; a destiny meant to be. VYPE-U got to speak with Kimaari about her career with Bridge and the transition from attack to goalie. </p><p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9787720712654893" data-ad-slot="8738871937" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>
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</script></p><p>When asked, "How has playing for Bridge Lacrosse impacted your life?" Mondy said, "I can say that playing lacrosse has helped me with stepping outside of my comfort zone. Most of the day I'm kind of to myself and quiet, but once I hit the field with my team, I feel like I can be whoever. There's no judgment with Bridge; anybody who comes is truly welcomed with open arms." I find this extremely true, because whenever there's a new player, whether they come at the beginning or middle of the season, we make sure we introduce ourselves and take the time to work on the basics so they can get a grasp of those skills. Kimaari herself was very welcoming when I first joined the team, and now I'd like to say we're good friends; she's one of the funniest people I know. For Mondy, Bridge is like a second family to her. She appreciates the dedication Bridge has for things other than lacrosse. For example, they provide SAT/ACT prep books and prep classes, internships, travel opportunities, and Coach David is essentially a college advisor. </p><p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9787720712654893" data-ad-slot="8738871937" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>
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<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Bridge Lacrosse | Kimaari Mondy 2022 - Spring 2020 Highlights - Uncommitted</small>
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</p><p><br></p><p>I asked Kimaari a bit more about her reasons for success, and the way she worked towards this level of play. Mondy said, "I'm sure many people have said this before, but I truly think it takes grit and a certain level of self-trust that is needed in order to be successful. And to be frank, I don't think I did a specific thing for me to build up these skills, I just let time do its thing. I'm a true believer in change over time so I think through time and experience I was able to pick up these skills." I definitely think this is a very unique way to approach success because we always hear from others that it takes "very hard work" or "working every hour of the day" but Mondy simply believes in being a very patient athlete. </p><p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9787720712654893" data-ad-slot="8738871937" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>
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</script></p><p>As a follow-up question, I asked Kimaari about the coaches that have changed her athletic career, and she gives credit to "the great Coach David" for her success. Mondy learned from Coach David that being a good lacrosse player isn't always about your skill level, but rather your mental abilities, building relationships, leadership, and what you can do off the field rather than on it. Although Mondy has incredible strengths such as her courage, nobody is perfect. Being able to understand your weaknesses is an important asset to being an athlete, and Mondy knows that she still has some work to do with her confidence. Which is one-hundred percent okay, because life is a work in progress. </p><p>As far as her career after high school, Kimaari is still deciding if she'd be best off playing lacrosse in college or not, but regardless of what that decision comes down to she knows she wants to simply be the best version of herself; enjoy life and accomplish her goals. </p><p>"If I make the decision to play, I simply want to break records and be a major inspiration to others. If I don't continue my lacrosse career, I want to be successful in college so that I'm able to pursue my dream career." -Kimaari Mondy </p>
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VYPE-U: Coach Maddie
Jan 20, 2021
If you've ever played sports, then you understand the importance of having coaches that ultimately want the best for their players. Having coaches who are very reliant and trustworthy often leave a big impact on student-athletes, and inspire them to be the best versions of themselves. Madeline Nayfa is a high school varsity coach for Bridge Lacrosse in Dallas, Texas. Coach Maddie is a former Bridge Lacrosse athlete and after high school, she furthered her lacrosse career at Texas State University playing club lacrosse. As she says, "The people I am cool to call me Maddie and some very special people of mine call me Coach Maddie."
<p>Coach Maddie was studying Family and Child Development at Texas State which allowed her to know that she ultimately wanted to work with youth. In 2014, she happened to be in town and needed a summer job which ended up being with Bridge Lacrosse. Through her experience, she found a passion that she never knew she had. She wasn't teaching how to scoop up ground balls; she was, "planting seeds and witnessing the growth." Because of this, she found her current purpose. </p><p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9787720712654893" data-ad-slot="8738871937" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>
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</script></p><p>I got to interview Coach Maddie about her coaching philosophy and the importance of being the best coach one can be. During this interview, I asked her to tell me more about her coaching philosophy, and she responded, "My coaching philosophy is pretty simple: Build skills that will help student-athletes for life with a focus on determination, growth, and hard work. Win or lose, there is a lesson, on and off the field. Whatever your best is that day, give it. As young kids say, "It's a growth mindset for me!"" Just by hearing her philosophy, I can say that Coach Maddie definitely pushes this philosophy during practices and games by encouraging us to not feel down whenever we make mistakes or lose a game, instead she focuses on acknowledging that we can grow from those mistakes, and become better athletes. </p><p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9787720712654893" data-ad-slot="8738871937" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>
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</script></p><p>Although Coach Maddie can be laidback at times, she also believes discipline is incredibly important in lacrosse. As she said, "A disciplined player not only pays respect to the sport; they pay respect to themselves." Nayfa wholeheartedly believes that the ability to motivate is one of the most valuable traits to have, but that motivation isn't the same for everyone. During the interview, she emphasized the importance of becoming an excellent motivator, saying, "Some people are motivated by positive reinforcement, and some are motivated by intensity. The way I motivate my players is different for each individual. Usually, I start the season by modeling positive motivation and step back towards the end. A coach motivating their team is powerful, yet not as powerful as a team motivating themselves. I want my players to walk away from our team with the capability to self-motivate." </p><p><ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-9787720712654893" data-ad-slot="8738871937" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>
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</p><p><br></p><p>Although Coach Maddie is an exceptional coach, everyone comes with strengths and weaknesses. Nayfa is able to point out that she does have flaws and that she often self-reflects after practice. Because she does this, she believes positive reinforcement is her biggest weakness. I, as a student-athlete of hers, think that it is an area she does focus on simply because after a game I know could've gone better she always makes sure our team understands that it's not a bad thing to make mistakes, and often points out that we're doing ceratin drills because that's what would've helped us in the previous game and will help us in future games. </p><p>She works to make her girls better and to light a spark in them to accomplish anything they put their minds to. After all, one of her favorite moments as a coach is, "Watching some amazing young women evolve, grow, gain confidence, and reach their goals. I have seen some of my girls reach their goals for college commitments and offers. I have seen some master their passions over quarantine and some work to stay positive over Covid. Some are killing it at college. Some were putting in work despite the state of the world. THEY set their mind to that and did that all for themselves. They inspire me beyond what I can put into words."<br></p><p>As for where Coach Maddie sees herself in the next five years; Bridge is a family for life for her. She plans on moving on up into an Assistant Principal position at her school and plans on being with Bridge until the day she stops coaching, even if it means 5 years from now. </p>
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