Each week during the school year the Naples Daily News selects athletes that stood out the week before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to sports@naplesnews.com and our coverage. Those athletes are put in a poll each Monday on naplesnews.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. The winners of the Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week poll sponsored by Elevate Home Services receive a T-shirt provided by BSN Sports and a tote bag provided by USA Today High School Sports Awards. To get to know our winners better, the Naples Daily News will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete weekly.
The Naples Daily News Athlete of the Week sponsored by Elevate Home Services for March 17-22 was Barron Collier track and field standout Olivia Bersh. Bersh pulled away from St. John Neumann softball player Sophia Escobar, winning by 2,056 votes (45.81%).
Question: How early did you get into track and field? What drew you to the sport?
Bersh: I first started track in 7th grade. I originally joined because I wanted to try pole vault, but it wasn’t offered. Instead, I spent a few days trying sprinting and jumping, and I quickly figured out that’s what I loved. I’ve been doing it ever since!
What has it been like, finding your footing and succeeding so early with the team?
Bersh: Honestly, it’s extremely humbling. I trained hard this offseason hoping to improve, and the results have been beyond my expectations.
Do you have a ritual or routine before a meet?
Bersh: Usually long and triple jump are my first events, so thinking and preparing for those really start my meet. I try to visualize how my jumps will go and what specific part I am trying to improve on. That really helps me focus and stay calm before my jumps, which ultimately makes me perform better. Most importantly though, I always try to have fun before and during the meet!
Do you have a track and field athlete, current or former, that you look up to?
Bersh: Definitely Christian Coleman! He’s just an incredible sprinter and I’ve really admired him and his ability for quite some time. I also look up to Jasmine Moore, who was the first U.S. woman to qualify for the Olympics in both the long and triple jump!
If you weren’t doing track and field, what sport would you be playing?
Bersh: I would have to say gymnastics. I did it for around 7 years, and I stopped earlier this ...
