Athlete of the Week-Krisha Patel

Krisha Patel

Krisha Patel is a recent graduate of White County High School where she was a multi-sport athlete for the Warriorettes. Throughout her high school career, Patel balanced several sports, including soccer, track, and flag football, leaving a lasting impact on her teammates. 

Patel joined the flag football team during her senior year, making an immediate impression despite it being just the second year of the program at White County High. When asked about her decision to join the team, Patel explained that she was drawn to the sport after hearing from her friends, who were on the team the previous year. Her enthusiasm and willingness to try something new made her a valuable addition to the team, where she quickly bonded with her teammates.

“The girls on the team last year told me that it was really fun,” she said. “I just wanted to experience it as one of my last high school experiences.”

Prior to flag football, Patel was already an accomplished athlete in both soccer and track. She played soccer for two years, starting in her sophomore year and continuing through her junior year, and she participated in track all four years of high school. Her versatility as an athlete allowed her to adapt to different sports and bring her skills to the football field, where she continued to grow and improve throughout the season.

“I think some aspects of soccer and flag football are really similar, especially on defense,” Patel said. “You have to be quick. Track helped, too, because you have to be fast, and that definitely comes into play in flag football.”

Beyond her athletic abilities, Patel’s love for the sport came from the camaraderie she enjoyed with her teammates.

“What I liked best was the girls on the team,” she explained. “We all get along really well, and practices were just enjoyable. We were still learning, but it was fun to see us get better together.”

For Patel, the relationships she formed with her teammates were one of the most memorable parts of her high school athletic experience, and she will miss that most as she moves on to the next chapter of her life.

Looking ahead, she is focused on her future career aspirations. While she is still deciding between the University of Tennessee-Knoxville or Tennessee Tech, Patel plans to major in Biomedical Sciences with hopes of becoming a dentist.

As for continuing her athletic journey, Patel isn’t ready to let go of sports just yet.

“I’ll probably play flag football and soccer in intramurals,” she said that she looks forward to creating relationships with new teammates in the future. “It’s just something I enjoy, and I want to keep doing it even after high school.”

When reflecting on the lessons learned through sports, Patel noted how athletics helped her develop greater patience with herself. This mindset, coupled with her determination and love for learning, will undoubtedly serve her well as she embarks on her future career.

For anyone considering taking up flag football or any new sport, Patel had some advice.

“Join! You’ll make new friends, and even if you’re just learning, it’s a great feeling when you start getting things right,” she encouraged. “I got closer to people I hadn’t really talked to in school, and it was a fun way to make memories in my final year.”