Moving on up

CEDAR RAPIDS - There is no off-season for Cedar Rapids Xavier freshman Maria Steffen.

Playing for the Saints' sophomore girls' basketball and varsity softball teams is a year-round commitment. Steffen said once basketball is just getting over, softball training is just starting and in full swing.

She would have it no other way.

Being pulled up this winter to play with the sophomore team was an opportunity she was not going to pass up, but it comes with a price.

'I would say the hardest part about moving up would be not getting the chance to play with all of my friends who are freshmen,” Steffen said.

There are positives, as well.

'It is nice that the upperclassmen are so welcoming and friendly,” Steffen said. 'It helps a lot so I don't feel nervous to talk to them.”

She enjoys talking on and off the court to her teammates because she has grown so comfortable around them.

Sophomore teammate Jessica Callahan said moving Steffen up was a great decision on head coach Stephanie Pott's behalf.

'Maria is really aggressive and smart on the court,” Callahan said. 'She is also good at getting around her defender in order to score. I think Maria is a great addition to our team and we definitely have a promising season ahead of us.”

Not only does she work hard at practice, Callahan said Steffen has earned her spot on the Saints' sophomore basketball team and will not take the opportunity for granted.

Like most athletes, Steffen lives for competition. It's something that has been present in her life since fourth grade and something she plans to do throughout her high school years.

The Saints host Dubuque Senior on Tuesday.