Casazza Is the Name for Sprints, Kicks, Volleys

The name is Cris Casazza, and you might as well get used to hearing it.

Casazza, who may rewrite the Chaminade High sports record book by the time she graduates, is a sophomore playing on the Eagles’ volleyball, soccer and track teams.

Last season, she was an All-Sunshine League soccer player, her team’s most valuable player and missed the All-Southern Section team by one vote. Also last season, Casazza led her junior varsity volleyball team to a league title, and was the fastest runner on a Chaminade relay team that broke the school’s 440 record. She represented the school in the Southern Section track finals.

This season, Casazza, 15, started on the league champion volleyball team and played on a soccer team that won its first league title. She led the team in scoring with 18 goals.

Maintaining a 3.5 grade-point average keeps her almost as busy in the school’s honors program.

“It’s pretty tough,” she said. “I get pretty tired, but I still like it when I get home late and have a bunch of homework to do.

“When I’m just sitting around doing nothing, I get really bored.”

Casazza now has track on her mind. She runs the 100 and 200 as well as the relay, and would like to break an individual school record.

But not because she wants to be more than the best female athlete in school.

“No, because my brother has a school record,” she said. Her brother, Steve, holds the school 220 record. “His name is up on the board at the school gym.”

Her brother was also her inspiration to play soccer, the favorite of her three sports.

“He has played all his life,” Casazza said. “I feel more confident in soccer than I do in the other sports. I think I’m a little better in soccer, anyway.”

Casazza thrives where other students might burst from academic and athletic pressures.

“It’s fun,” she said. “I love it.”