Athlete of the Week: Mia Tetz totals six runs batted in for Rhinos softball in season opener

The Twelve Bridges High softball team got off to a solid start to their first varsity season with a 17-14 win over Rio Linda High last Thursday at home. The Raging Rhinos had multiple players who stepped up and brought home key runs but none more crucial than junior Mia Tetz. Tetz went four for five at the plate with six runs batted in. Tetz was also the lone Rhinos wrestler who competed at the Masters Tournament in Stockton last month. Tetz wrestled in the 116-pound weight class. The Lincoln News Messenger asked Tetz some questions and her answers follow. What is the best part about playing softball at Twelve Bridges High School? Tetz: "The best part about playing for the school's softball team is the coaches and my teammates. I believe the most important aspect of a team is the bond that is created between the players and coaches and this team has a bond I've never seen before." How long have you been playing competitively and who/what is your biggest motivation? Tetz: "I've been playing since t-ball all the way to multiple travel teams. My biggest motivation is my self-determination to be better than I was the day before." You went four for five with six runs batted in during the home opener last Thursday against Rio Linda High. What was working so well for you at the plate last Thursday? Tetz: "The thing that worked so well was completely mental. I went up to the plate knowing the situation that there were runners in scoring position and I needed to put the ball in play. A strike-out was not an option in my mind." You come into the softball season after being the first girl in school history to compete at the Masters Tournament in wrestling. Two-part question, first, how exciting was it to get to wrestle in Stockton at Masters and second, how have you been able to transition so quickly into another sport? Tetz: "The moment I walked into the arena and truly took into scale where my hard work and dedication had brought me. It left me in a state of awe; not only was it my first season wrestling, to be the only athlete from Twelve Bridges High to qualify for masters this year was truly something I didn't expect when I first started wrestling. I was able to transition so well because softball was my main sport for so many years. It's like riding a bike; you never lose it. I compare at bats in softball similar to a match in wrestling: it comes down to player versus player's skill and who wants it more." What are some of your biggest goals for your junior softball season? Tetz: "My goal for this year's season is to make the most out of every moment I'm out there on that field and to grow as an athlete alongside my teammates." Did any of your family members play sports and if so, who and at what levels? Tetz: "My dad played high school football and rugby, then played rugby for a few more years after high school. My mom was a gymnast for seven years and a dancer for eight years and she went on to compete at state as a gymnast." Have you ever been involved in any other sports outside of softball and wrestling? Tetz: "I was a gymnast for three years." What has been your favorite class in high school and why? Tetz: "My favorite class would have to be my weights class. It has been a great tool to use during my school hours to get in some extra reps, whether that be lifting to build extra strength or running when I need to cut some weight for wrestling. It's also just a very fun and useful class for me." Who is your favorite musical artist/band? Tetz: "My music taste varies greatly, depending on my mood, but artists I could never go wrong with playing would have to be SZA or Eminem." Favorite restaurant and favorite food? Tetz: "My favorite restaurant would have to be a local sushi restaurant named Mikuni's. My favorite food would have to be homemade chili." Outside of school and playing softball and wrestling, what do you like to do in your free time? Tetz: "With my free time, I like to spend it with my best friend and/or my boyfriend." Is there a particular job you'd like to have someday? Tetz: "A job I've always wanted was to be a tattoo artist. I grew up drawing and painting all the time and have always had a keen eye for anything art." If you had a piece of advice for other local athletes, what would you tell them? Tetz: "A piece of advice I'd give to a local athlete is your mentality and self-discipline is a huge part of how you perform overall as an athlete. If you want to see improvement, you must push yourself past your limits and remember you will only get what you put in."