Coupeville Sports

Andre Avila

Andre Avila plays to his own beat.

On the soccer pitch and off, where he’s pursuing a dream of making hip hop music, the Coupeville High School junior moves fast and furious.

“I love the intensity of the game. It brings out the competitive side of me when I’m in the game,” Avila said. “I think my strengths are my aggressiveness and speed.”

This is his first year as a soccer player, but it’s a sport that has a history in his family.

“I’ve always been interested in the sport, since my dad used to play and told me I should play,” Avila said. “I also was encouraged by friends to play, so it’s always been on my mind.

“I tried out for Oak Harbor High’s team (before) and didn’t make it, so you bet I’m out to prove something this season.”

In his short time on the pitch, he’s already developed a taste for scoring, something that tops his to-do list.

“One goal I have is to score a goal or goals this season, that’s my biggest goal,” Avila said. “My second is to play a couple varsity games and letter in soccer, which would require practice, so I will work as hard as I can this season to achieve that goal.”

He realizes he’ll have to fine-tune his skill set to make the jump up to the varsity squad, something he works on each day.

“I need to work on my ball handling,” Avila said “When I have the ball, I have a hard time controlling it, so I push myself to work on as much as I can in practice so I can translate that in games.”

Away from the pitch, he’s an avid hoops player and devotes a fair amount of time to pursuing his love of music.

“I’m really interested in making hip hop music now and as a career if possible,” Avila said. “I have a music production class in which I make music in and that’s one way I spend my time when I’m not in soccer.”

Whether he’s laying down beats or rampaging up-field with the ball, he knows his biggest fan will always be there for him.

“My grandma has been a huge impact on my life,” Avila said. “She has always been there for me no matter what, she really encourages me to better myself and want to achieve my goals in life and never give up even when I want to.

“She ultimately encourages me to do better and I love her for everything she does for me.”