Manteca junior Calderon steps into starring role
By RAUL FIGUEROA
The Tower
Manteca catcher Na’ima Calderon tags out Oakdale’s Jayci Volonte at the plate for the second out in the top of the third inning of their Valley Oak League game. (Photo contributed by Sean Kahler)
Since the age of 4, Manteca High junior Na’ima Calderon has centered her life around the sport of softball.
A rising junior in a stacked Manteca softball dugout, Calderon has been a fixture on the varsity team since her freshman year.
Softball isn’t an easy sport; it takes preparation, grit, and hustle to be on top of the game, and Calderon strives to apply all three of these traits.
As of press time, Calderon is hitting .439 contributing 28 RBIs and three home runs. She is ranked second on the team in batting average and on-base percentage (.515).
Fellow teammate Maleiah Garza said, “Na'ima’s personality is one of her biggest traits. She's someone you go to for extra help or to get motivation from.”
The Tower caught up with Calderon to learn more about her motivation and what to come for the following year.
The Tower: What or who got you into softball?
Na’ima Calderon: I started playing when I was 4. My mom put me and my sisters in tee ball, and I loved the game so much I continued to play.
TT: How have you’ve improved since your sophomore year?
NC: My sophomore year was definitely better than my freshman year; this is when I started to get more comfortable and really started to produce and make an impact on my team.
TT: How have you impacted your team so far?
NC: I would say I’ve been having a good year at the plate and started off the season hot and even got my first high school home run against Atwater, which was pretty cool. Even on defense with our first baseman down, I stepped up and have been holding it down there too.
TT: What's your motivation to keep pushing forward?
NC: My motivation this season is my sister Ava mostly and my mom because they’re so far and this is the first time my mom has had to miss so much due to my family situation right now. I just want to make her proud because I know she really wants to be there.
TT: What are you looking forward to your senior year?
NC: My senior year. I’m looking forward to really ending my career with a bang; taking control of the team and making it my best.
TT: How has the team been so far?
NC: This year, the team has been the best group of girls. It's such a happy environment. No drama. We all have one goal and are trying to make it last as long as we can.