Student Athlete of the Week – Lindsey Rupakus

BY HEIDI ZENEFSKI
Sports Correspondent

Blue Ridge Senior, Lindsey Rupakus is in the unique position of being female and playing soccer on the boys’ team for the Raiders. She is the Independent’s Athlete of the Week.

Rupakus started playing soccer 12 years ago “because I was an athletic kid, and everyone else in my family played the sport.”

She’s not intimidated playing with the boys and she feels it makes her a better player. “I like being on a boys’ team because it gives you more of a challenge, whether it’s with your ball handling or with your speed. Also I like how my teammates and coaches treat me, we are all like one big family and stick with each other through everything.”

The challenge has paid off for Rupakus as last year she was rewarded for her efforts by being named to the 2nd Team All-Stars. “I got nominated for the second team boys all-stars, which would make me the first girl to ever make a boys all-star team,” she said.

Rupakus is just getting back into soccer this year. She waivered in her decision to play, but in the end, could not miss out on the opportunity. “I was there at the beginning for the scrimmages, then I felt it’d be smarter to just focus on track. But as I watched my team play, I couldn’t just sit in the crowd, I had to be out there with them.”

She is also a track star for Blue Ridge. She currently holds the school records for the 100 meter hurdles and the 300 meter hurdles. She has competed in the State Track and Field Championships twice.

Rupakus got her running inspiration from her coach, Tom Lewis. “Tom Lewis inspires me to always do my best. He is always there to help me out and knows so much about the sport, track and field. Ever since I trained with him I have wanted to become a track coach. He shared his love for the sport with me which I am so grateful for!”

Track and field isn’t the only sport where Rupakus competes on the state level.

“Outside of school, I have a horse which I am currently heading to states with at the end of October for Barrel Racing.”

Rupakus is the youngest of the four children of Bill and Vycki Rupakus of New Milford Township. Being a member of her family also puts a bit of money in her pocket because she is employed by her father who owns Pecos Bill’s Barbeque.

Her post-graduation plans aren’t set yet, but her dream may become a reality next fall. “After graduation I hope to get into a D1 or D2 school to run track and field, also I’d like to become a personal trainer or a college coach for track.”