Sarah Obletz shows those leadership qualities at Buffalo Seminary

BUffalo - Talk to any student and they will tell you it’s really not easy.

Trying to juggle the rigors of a tough academic schedule with the added pressure of playing sports.

There is a reason why they are called student-athletes.

For Buffalo Seminary junior soccer player Sarah Obletz juggling the course work that is Buffalo Seminary is tough enough.

“It is kind of a challenge,” she explains. “There are weeks that I say to myself I need to focus on school. But, Sem really helps to make sure that athletics and academics have an equal balance. And that it’s not just one or the other.”

Being the top scorer, and arguably, one of the best players in Western New York, Obletz is looked upon as the top player at Buffalo Seminary, and usually if she doesn’t score they don’t win.

Talk about a lot of pressure for one person. But, Obletz doesn’t let the pressure of school or the games get to her.

“It’s really difficult and I get really frustrated with myself,” stated Obletz. But, I have to remember they are other girls on the team looking up to me and I need to keep my head up. Because, if I am looking down and looked depressed that will affect the rest of the players.”

Added coach Jillian Fattey: “She assumes this role of goal scorer and she is wonderful at that skill. But, I think that can also carry a heavy weight on her. She feels responsible for the success of the team as a result.”

The fact Obletz was voted as captain, even though she is a junior, is proof enough she can handle anything that comes her way.

As her coach says the voting of captains was something the team did and not the coaches.

“To be a leader on the team is such an honor,” stated Obletz before their game against Immaculate earlier in the week. “It was a great honor (being named captain) but a little bit of a challenge at the same time.

Saying you are a leader is one thing, being able to prove it is another. And Obletz proves she was the right choice to captain this young team as they look to win a Monsignor Martin Athletic Association Small School championship.

Even during their recent game against Immaculate you could hear Obletz shouting encouragement to her team.

She is the one that everybody looks to when something is going wrong or when the team needs a big play.

“You want to be able to joke around with the team, but you have to take it seriously,” said Obletz. “But, you have to show that leadership. It has been a really amazing experience for me, especially being an upper classmen.”

As the season comes to an end the pressure is for Buffalo Seminary to make a deep run in the playoffs.

But, if you are looking for Sara Obletz to sweat, don’t bother. She is as cool as they come.