Q&A with Norfolk Collegiate 6th grade athlete Van Orman
NORFOLK, Va. —
ATHLETE INFO
Name: William Van Orman
School: Norfolk Collegiate
Sports Participate In: Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming
Years in the current sport: 6 years with lacrosse
Grade/Year: 6th grade, Class of 2028
William Van Orman would rather be moving than standing still and when you see him in his element, on the field or in the pool, one would understand why. Since he was in Kindergarten, he’s been busy trying different sports.
“I’ve tried swimming, baseball, basketball, lacrosse and soccer,” said William. “I started pretty young with soccer and lacrosse, probably when I was 5 or 6 years old.” In fact, it was a school-offered Acorn Athletics lacrosse clinic when he was at Norfolk Collegiate’s lower school that started it all.
Yet it was soccer, lacrosse and swimming that stole his heart. He’s a member of Norfolk Collegiate’s middle school lacrosse and soccer teams, plays lacrosse for the Norfolk Neptunes and swims for the Mallory Dolphins at the Mallory Country Club in the summer.
“I play defense in soccer and mid-field in lacrosse. As a mid-fielder, I like that you can play offense and defense where you can’t do that with other positions,” he said. However, it’s lacrosse that’s his favorite. “Lacrosse is probably my favorite because a lot of my friends play and I’ve made a lot of new friends and it’s super fun. For swimming, my favorite is the relay because it’s more of the team. It’s fun seeing who’s in your relay.”
This year marks his first year playing for Norfolk Collegiate, and he’s excited to represent his school on the field.
“I was very excited to play school sports because I thought it was going to be fun and it was my first time playing on a school team,” said William. “I think it’s cool that I play for my school. I’ve wanted to ever since I was at the lower school. I don’t get to play with my classmates outside of school on teams and I like being able to be a part of a team with them. And I feel like I can represent my school well.”
Being a part of a team also means cheering on your teammates; something William does a lot.
“When I’m on the sidelines, I like to talk to my teammates,” he said. “I don’t critique them, the coach can do that and he knows a lot more than me. I just like to tell them they’re doing well.”
Q&A
What do you love about your sport(s)?
William Van Orman: I picked soccer and lacrosse because I had lots of experience playing them. I got into soccer and lacrosse because of my parents. My dad played soccer a lot and wanted me to play, too. And then my friends started playing lacrosse and my dad suggested I try it, too. My dad even coached me in lacrosse and soccer. What I love about my sports, and sports in general, is that they are really fun and keep you active. I also love team sports because you can meet new people.
Would you mind sharing with us one of your favorite sports memories from this year?
Van Orman: My favorite memory from this year is when our soccer team played St. Patrick’s team. It was a super close game. At the start, St. Pat’s was winning and we thought we would lose by a lot, but Coach Hall gave us a pep talk and even though we lost the game by 1 point, it was a super fun game. We went undefeated for a long time in the season and got second place in the championship.
What are your athletic goals?
Van Orman: My athletic goals are to play a sport in college, probably lacrosse, and always try my hardest in the sports I play.
What is the biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Van Orman: Losing is hard because everyone tries their hardest and gets down when we lose, so we try to work harder at practice so we can win the next game.
What was the best advice you were ever given (sport or personal)?
Van Orman: The best advice I have ever received is to just try my best. As long as I try my best, I am doing as much as I can.
What do you like to do outside of your sport and school?
Van Orman: I love doing things outside with my friends, like playing basketball and soccer. When the pool is open in the summer, I love to go with my friends.
How would you describe your personality?
Van Orman: I would describe my personality as pretty outgoing. I like to meet new people, and I’m pretty chatty with my friends, which sometimes is not good.
What is your favorite snack?
Van Orman: My favorite snack is probably cereal or fruit. I love apples and grapes. I also love Raisin Bran with extra raisins, Honey Nut Cereal and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Do you have a favorite song or musician to listen to in order to prepare for a game?
Van Orman: I like to listen to hip hop and rap, but I don’t listen to music that much.
What is your favorite school subject and why?
Van Orman: Physical education and then science. It’s cool and I want to do stuff in the lab. I like to learn how things work.
What is something that not many people may know about you?
Van Orman: I like playing soccer in the rain because it’s refreshing. I don’t like to play lacrosse in the rain because all the gear gets wet and rain really messes with the lacrosse pocket.
What would you like people to know about you?
Van Orman: I have a brother, Henry, and sister, Charlotte, and a dog named Theodore. He’s a two-year-old Labradoodle who is fluffy and big.
What’s your ultimate goal?
Van Orman: I want to go to the University of Virginia because they have a really good lacrosse team and my dad went there. I’ve also been there a lot.
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