By Clarissa Olson Posted June 4, 2020
There are a great many ways to define an athlete. Most people see their talent or even their hard work, but being an athlete is about so much more than that. Being an athlete is about passion, and no one at Lowry has more love for sports than this year’s Student-Athlete of the Year, Sierra Maestrejuan.
Varsity softball coach Austin Mayo explains why this makes her unique.
“Sierra isn’t afraid to show her emotions and intensity when on the court or field, almost to a fault,” said Mayo. “In today’s world, it is hard to find athletes who are willing to leave it all out there and show the kind of raw emotion that lets you know they truly care.”
Maestrejuan was particularly accomplished in her athletic career at Lowry. In her sophomore year, she and the varsity volleyball team won the regional tournament for the first time in a long time. She was then named captain not only in her junior season but also in her senior year as well. This year, she also received 1st team All-League honors and was named to 2nd team All-State. In basketball, she played in two state tournaments, and as captain in her senior season, she received 2nd team All-League honors. She and the varsity softball team played in the state tournament both her sophomore and junior years, and were hopeful to return this year before the season was unfortunately canceled. She received 1st team All-League honors as a Junior.
But success hasn’t been Maestrejuan’s only legacy. As a notable leader, hard worker, someone who does everything she is asked, and a 4.0 AP and honors student, varsity softball coach Austin Mayo said that Maestrejuan has been everything a coach looks for in an athlete.
“She really contributes all over the place, but it’s the little things that she does that I always appreciate,” said Mayo. “I could count on her to be the example of how things were done, whether it was a simple drill or something not fun like conditioning.”
Mayo added that the hard work the public sees is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Sierra’s personality.
Maestrejuan said she has had a natural interest in athletics since she was young, and her parents enrolled her as soon as she was old enough. She has been on track to play softball since she began playing t-ball, continuing through playing in city league and travel ball over the summer. Her basketball career began in 3rd grade. She played both in the city league and over the summer.
Maestrejuan began playing volleyball shortly before she entered junior high, when she would attend her mom’s city league games, playing with her beforehand.
Both of her parents were also athletes at Lowry and inspired much of her career in sports.
“My mom and dad shaped me into an athlete at a young age, and I am very happy they did that…” said Maestrejuan. “Growing up in the family I did, we were always being active, and sports were a big part of it.”
Maestrejuan is thankful for her family, who have consistently turned out to support the school at Maestrejuan’s games. Even her grandpa and great aunt travel to see her play. Maestrejuan’s brother, Dillon, a constant face on the athletic scene at Lowry, also came to all of his sister’s games. Maestrejuan cites him as her role model and said he inspired her to become the best she could.
“Many people, including my brother, don’t have the ability to play sports, and I am grateful I have that opportunity, so I make the most out of it,” said Maestrejuan.
Sports for Mastrejuan weren’t just a solo venture. She valued, understood, and promoted teamwork, always working for her teammates. Mastrejuan always stressed how amazing her team and coaches were, and listed her accomplishments as an honor to have been a part of the teams that achieved them.
“She has a knack for having her finger on the pulse of the team around her and knows when to contribute words of encouragement or even humor when her teammates need her the most,” said Mayo.
Maestrejuan plans to attend UNR and pursue a medical profession. While she is not participating in collegiate athletics, she said they will always be a huge part of her life, no matter where she is or what she is doing.
