There is no specific definition of “a coach’s athlete” but if there were, Gabriela Apiag would certainly be close to the mark. Apiag just finished her last year at Double Churches Middle School where she was a multi-sport athlete, participating in four sports this past school year while also being a member of a year round softball team.
“I would consider Gabi a Coach’s Athlete because she is very coachable. She definitely has great natural talent, but she is always striving to improve. She is not afraid of hard work and her conscientiousness in the classroom carries over into athletics,” says DCMS Athletic Director, Tracy Wilson, of Apiag.
Practically an athlete all of her life, Apiag started out with soccer before she was a preschooler and moved into other sports along the way. Mostly, the 14-year-old says, because she was following along after two big brothers.
The middle of five children (she has twin toddler-age brothers), Apiag comes from an athletic family. Because she grew up with brothers, Apiag wasn’t much interested in playing on a girls’ softball team. She chose instead to play Little League baseball where she was always the only girl on the team.
“I was the pitcher but really I played everywhere. I grew up around the boys I played with at American. We started at A-ball and went to C-ball together,” she says with a smile.
Apiag stayed with baseball until the age of 12. At that time she switched over to softball and has been a member of a travel softball team ever since. Her usual position on the field is shortstop and her enthusiasm for the sport is evident.
“I just love softball. I especially love playing shortstop. You are a leader out there and I get most of the plays,” she says.
By the time the athletic teen got to middle school, her self-confidence had been established through sports. Still playing travel ball, she chose to try basketball at Double Churches her first year there. Even though the sport was very different from soccer, baseball and softball, Apiag discovered quickly that she also had talent on the hardwoods which developed into another passion.
The following year she tried volleyball in the fall. She didn’t excel in it like other sports but she enjoyed the experience. After basketball season was over, Apiag’s coaches encouraged her to try out for the school’s track team.
For her first year, she participated in two relay teams and learned to throw the discus. As a member of the 4×100 meter and 4×400 meter relay teams, she ran the first leg setting the tone and pace of the team. Some athletes might be a little nervous about that role as a newbie but not Apiag.
“No, I enjoy being the first. It is a big responsibility but I like the role of leader and helping my team. I am the lead-off batter is softball which also is a big responsibility so it isn’t all that new to me,” she says.
Her eighth grade year Apiag added one more sport to her score card. In the early fall she played soccer for the Wildcats. She once again played volleyball and was a valuable point guard for the girls basketball team. This spring Apiag had a good track season. In addition to the relays and discus, Apiag competed in the 100 yard dash competition and tinkered around with shot put.
“I practiced with the boys’ ball instead of the girls’ ball so that when I threw the shot put, I would be using the girls ball and be able to throw it further. It was a fun experience for me,” Apiag says.
Even with a school year filled with four sports and a traveling softball team, Apiag still can’t get enough of athletics. Whenever possible, she engages her older brothers in a game of basketball. A self-professed tomboy, Apiag enjoys the opportunity to spar with them on the court because she says it improves her game. She also has noted the family may have more athletes in training.
“The babies, they will be two soon. They watch us play basketball and then I see them trying to dribble and be like us. They watch try to do the same thing. It’s pretty neat. I guess that was the way I was, too,” she says smiling.
Apiag has chosen to attend Northside High School. Her older brothers are already there and she has plans to continue to play sports at that level. Apiag knows she will have to give up a sport or two due to the demands of academics but she is looking at probably trying out for the softball and basketball teams. She might even consider track in the spring if all goes well. Her confidence in herself and her ability to play high school sports is almost a given.
Looking ahead to college and beyond, her hope is to attend Auburn or Georgia on athletic scholarship. Her most ambitious goal and greatest dream is to become a member of the U.S. Olympic Softball Team.
It would be a great story if the little girl who played Little League baseball wound up with a spot on the top American softball team.
“I’m not afraid to try. I like a challenge,” she says.
Getting to know Gabriela
Family: Mother, Delia Apiag; father, Craig Apiag; four brothers
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite place to eat: Panda Express
Music she likes: Hip hop and R&B
Favorite team (college or professional): Lakers, Georgia Bulldogs
Favorite subject in school: English or Language Arts
Person she most admires: My mom
Church she attends: Christ the King Catholic Church
Favorite movie: Twilight or Hunger Games Series
Something most people don’t know about her: I like to sing and dance
Best thing about attending Double Churches Middle School: Being with my friends.
Quote for graphics box: “Gabi’s natural athletic ability will be enough to get her to the next level in several sports, but her strong work ethic is what will keep her there and ultimately lead to her success.” Tracy Wilson, Athletic Director, Double Churches Middle School
Columbus Valley/Rising Star/June 2015
Gabriela Apiag
Double Churches Middle School
Columbus, Georgia
By Beth Welch
Photos by Jerry Christenson
