Soccer player Malaika Albright participates with the Alabama State Olympic Development Program (ODP) team. CONTRIBUTED

Athlete of the Week

MADISON – Malaika Albright, a prospective sophomore at Bob Jones High School, plays soccer as an attacking midfielder.

Currently, Albright plays for Bob Jones Varsity Soccer. In fall 2015, she was a dual player for the Region Premier League team with Huntsville Futbol Club’s and Birmingham United’s Elite Club National League (ECNL) team.

“I’m also on the Alabama State Olympic Development Program (ODP) team,” Albright said.

“Soccer is by far my favorite sport because of that feeling you get when you score a goal and your team wins the match,” Albright said. “I love the spirit of competition and the drive you must have to improve your game.”

Albright described playing soccer as “a process that’s sometimes hard but, when you make it to the top, it’s like no other feeling in the world. I strive to play at the highest levels of soccer.”

Her parents are Douglas and Elizabeth Albright. Douglas works as a software engineer at Adtran. Elizabeth, a registered nurse, works at Huntsville Hospital.

“I’ve had the privilege to teach Malaika, as well as see her play,” Bob Jones freshman English teacher Emily Polak said. “Malaika gives a strong effort both on the field and in the classroom. She always has a good attitude and has a sweet disposition.”

Q & A

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Lasagna.

Q: What restaurants do you like?
A: “My favorite restaurant in Madison is SmashBurger,” Malaika Albright said.

Q: What is your favorite sports team?
A: Manchester City Football Club, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and Football Club Barcelona.

Q: What’s your favorite sports memory?
A: “When my whole middle school soccer team got together for a big sleepover,” Albright said.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Read, watch movies and train for soccer.

Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: “I would love to go to Duke University and major in astrophysics,” she said.