Horace Mann athlete Kobe Douangboupha finds way to balance sports and life

WAUSAU, Wis. — Kobe Douangboupha, 12, believes that participating in extracurricular activities like football is important.

“You make new friends,” said Kobe. “You learn new things.”

“There will be hard days with teammates, but we will always be a team,” said Kobe.

Kobe loves the bonds that he has formed with his teammates through sports, but finding time as a seventh grader at Horace Mann Middle School to keep up with sports, along with school work, social events and family isn’t easy.

When he’s not participating in sports, he enjoys hanging out with his friends and his family.

“I try to balance all of these and try to make time for all of it,” said Kobe.

Along with football, Kobe has also participated in basketball, wrestling and baseball. He is in his fourth year of playing football, with three years of flag football and most recently a season of tackle football for Horace Mann Middle School.

Despite the aggressive nature of football, Kobe’s favorite advice in life is to always be kind and to do your best. And the lessons learned playing the game stick with Kobe, too.

“Once I made a block in the back and I felt bad for the flag,” said Kobe. “Despite the flag, my teammates and coaches had my back, and told me it was OK.”

Kobe’s teammates encouraged him to get back out on the field and do his best. And that’s what Kobe continues to practice in sports and life.

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