Eagan senior Ciara Rivera is starting her final season as a member of the Wildcats softball team.

She also played tennis for the Wildcats last fall. Here is a closer look at Rivera, who is headed to the University of Minnesota-Crookston next year:

The best movie I've seen in the last year? "Bridesmaids."

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are ... "The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco, "Sexy and I Know It" by LMFAO, "All I Do Is Win" by DJ Khaled.

Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me? Driven, competitive, outgoing.

How do you balance school and sports during the year? I try very hard to maintain my grades, because they are equally important to me as sports. I use whatever free time I have after practice during the week to get my homework done ... and other times I finish in other classes.

How did you get started playing the sports you play now in high school? For one of my very first birthdays I had gotten a giant red plastic bat and would always play in the yard with my dad. I grew to love hitting and started playing softball to discover I had a natural talent for it. For tennis, I didn't start until seventh grade. My grandpa was the one who had first shown me how to play the game and is the one I will always thank for inspiring me to play tennis.

At my first varsity practice, I felt ... very intimidated to be a freshman around upperclassmen and to have a coach I knew I needed to impress, but the team was very welcoming and I fit right in with the girls.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete so far? Going to state for softball as a freshman and going to state for tennis as a junior.

What is your favorite pregame meal? Pizza and Mountain Dew.

If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? Try to keep the politics out of the sport and just let the girls play.

When you have time off, what do you like to do? I like to do outdoor activities such as swimming, roller blading, getting ice cream and going to cabins with friends.

Who is your favorite college or pro sports team and why? My favorite college team is by far the Minnesota Gophers softball team because I have played with many of the girls on the team. My favorite pro teams are the Minnesota Twins and Wild because those are my favorite sports to watch along with football. Joe Mauer is cute!

Do you have a secret talent -- and if so, what is it? I can burp louder than most men.

In 10 years, I hope I ... have my DVM in Veterinary Medicine and running my own clinic.

What is the best sports advice you ever received? The game requires both mental and physical strength. Coaches watch that as much as they look at your skills. If you do not maintain the mental aspect of the game, you may as well sit on the bench.

RON HAGGSTROM