Record Athlete of the Week: Yari Aguado, Yorkville junior, soccer

Why she was selected:

Yorkville junior midfielder Yari Aguado had three goals and five assists over the course of three games over the last week.

Aguado had an assist against Morris, recorded a goal and two assists against Ottawa, and scored two goals with two assists against Plano. She talked with Record sports editor Joshua Welge about her big week, about the season in general and her introduction to soccer. Here is an edited transcript.

Welge: You had a pretty good week. What was going on out there?

Aguado: Definitely with my foot skills, I've been finding the ball from Madison Grandys and tucking it off to Peyton Willie. She's been finishing some of my passes.

Welge: What's it like to play with two pretty talented players like that?

Aguado: It's awesome. I feel like Peyton is more of a leader, and especially Madison with the work that she puts into the game. Just being in the middle that we tried out recently, it's helped being able to move and pass and find those openings.

Welge: What was the change you that made?

Aguado: In the beginning of the season, I played more center mid with Madison and Jenny Nunez. In the past week or so, coach put me between Peyton and Madison, more of a person to receive the ball quickly and release the ball. Coach says I have good foot skills.

Welge: How have you developed your foot skills?

Aguado: I play that position for my club, the Chicago Rush, which helps. I do camps and over the summer break I do Futsal. It's a smaller game, like soccer with a heavier ball, it allows you to use your foot skills to be able to score. It can be five-on-five, but you can also do three-on-three. It's indoor on a harder surface. I play it on my days off.

Welge: How did you get started in soccer?

Aguado: I was in third grade. My uncle kind of motivated me to play soccer. He put a soccer ball at my feet, my parents were convinced by my uncle to put me in soccer. He said I didn't need to do park and rec. I went straight to travel.

Welge: How did that early experience help?

Aguado: It's helped tremendously. Since I was little, I always had the desire to work hard and to try my best and to succeed even though I'm small. I'm 5-foot-2 and not the strongest, but I can hold my ground.

Welge: What's your favorite subject in school?

Aguado: Math.

Welge: What's your favorite TV show?

Aguado: "Friends."

Welge: What's the last movie you saw?

Aguado: "Coco."

Welge: What's the last book you read?

Aguado: "Wonder."