Student Athlete of the Week Tracy Yu

Niwot High School senior Tracy Yu will be pulling double duty this spring for the first time in two years.

Yu is currently preparing for her fourth season on the Cougars' girls tennis team and is rejoining Niwot's girls soccer squad after taking last season off. Her weekday afternoons may be chaotic at times, but her passion for both sports should prevail.

Regarding her return to the pitch, Yu was convinced by teammate Margaux Boyer to attend a low-stress summer kickaround.

"I definitely really missed it," Yu said. "I always wanted to have a season where I'd know it was my last season. Sophomore year, it ended with injuries and it was kind of a rough ending. Over the summer, one of my teammates asked me to come to a summer kickaround and I really enjoyed it. It's also really helpful that we have our turf field now so the games are at night."

Hindered by those aforementioned injuries, Yu scored one goal and tallied two assists that spring, according to MaxPreps. She played striker then but she expects to move over to wing this year. Her goals on the pitch this season are to stay healthy and play with confidence.

Yu added that both of her head coaches, Aimee Irwin (tennis) and Stephen Dimit (soccer), are in full support of her ambitions, which makes playing both sports significantly easier.

On the tennis court, she'll likely assume Niwot's No. 2 singles position after enjoying an impressive finish last season. Yu, then at No. 3 singles, reached the Class 4A individual state tournament semifinals before falling to Kent Denver's Meredith Waters in a thrilling three-set match.

Although she described that state tournament run as "unexpected," Yu hopes to make some noise again in Pueblo come May.

"I definitely want to try and make semifinals again this year, but I know that No. 2 singles is a lot tougher," Yu said. "Making state is the first goal and then, hopefully, I'll last until the last day again."

The experience she gained competing at state last season should be invaluable heading into her senior campaign. Yu believes she's now more confident and aware of her strengths.

"This year, I know my skill level a little better," Yu said. "Hopefully, I can be more confident and less nervous going in (to state). Last year, I was definitely really nervous in a lot of my matches."

As a senior, Yu's leadership abilities should be critical to Niwot's success this spring. She'd like to help instill a fun environment while also prioritizing work ethic.

Niwot girls tennis will open its season by hosting Fairview High School on Tuesday, March 5. Two days later, Niwot girls soccer will host Centaurus High School in its lid-lifter.

The senior Yu will be soaking in each of her final days as a Cougar.

"I'll definitely miss the spring season the most because going into each year, that's what I look forward to the most," Yu said. "(I'll miss) spending time with the team and going to Pueblo and the bus rides."

After high school, Yu hopes to attend an out-of-state college and potentially study either business or finance.