Track running is freeing for Friel

Myriam Friel likes running with the track team at Horizon Elementary School but also enjoys swimming and figure skating. RECORD PHOTOS/GREGG L. PARKER

Athlete of the Week

MADISON – Myriam Friel, a sixth-grader at Horizon Elementary School, participates in several sports but running is number one.

Myriam is a well-rounded athlete with her interest in track club, swim team and figure skating. “The team that I play on is swim team,” she said.

“My favorite sport is running. I like running so much because it just gets me excited and makes me feel like myself,” Myriam said. At Horizon, she also sings in the choir.

Her father, Jimmy Friel, works for the Army Corps of Engineers. Her mother, Lucia Mariotta, works as a tutor for foreign language, including Spanish and Italian.

Myriam has two brothers. Michael Friel is in fourth grade, also at Horizon. Her older brother, Ivan Friel, is an eighth-grader at Discovery Middle School.

Q & A

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Steak and pizza.

Q: What restaurants do you like?

A: Myriam enjoys a diverse range of foods and likes to go to Las Trojas Cantina, Hibachi Express, Bravo Cucina Italiana in Bridge Street Town Centre and Chick-fil-A.

Q: What is your favorite sports team?

A: Myriam’s favored teams are the Florida Gators and FC Barcelona.

Q: What is your favorite sports memory?

A: “My favorite sports memory was the 9/11 Heroes Run, which was a 5K, and I was the second child to finish,” Myriam said.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: “I like to play with my puppy and play with friends with bicycles,” she said.

Q: What are your plans?

A: “I would like to attend the University of Florida. I would like my major to be science or space,” Myriam said.