BY PEP FERNANDEZ
As one of the leading goal scorers in the Inland area, Hemet High’s Krista Haddock has the talent to control a soccer match. But there are some things that Haddock cannot control during the match. “People sometimes say what are you doing with your face, why are you moving your arms like that,” Haddock said. “I have anxiety-induced Tourette’s so the more stressed out I get the worse it’ll get.” Haddock explains that it was sometime between seventh and eighth grade when her parents took her to see a doctor and she was first diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. “For the longest time I didn’t know what that was, I didn’t know it was abnormal or I was doing those things,” said Haddock about her involuntary twitching which is more prevalent during intense moments. “Especially in a very stressful game, I start moving more and doing my twitches.” While Haddock, a junior, has played in some crucial matches during her threeyear run as a starter for the Bulldogs, Tourette’s has never limited her ability on the field. Since her freshman year, Haddock has been one of the top goal scorers for Hemet, and she is pushing upwards of 30 scores this season. “I don’t celebrate (after goals). As soon as I score I’m on to the next one, just stay focused and keep going,” Haddock said. Haddock is one of a handful of juniors who has played on the Hemet varsity soccer team for three seasons. Her role has evolved since first joining the team. “It’s hard to believe, like you said, we’re seasoned veterans, we still feel like freshman sometimes,” Haddock said. “We’ve got to motivate everyone else on the team and try to step up as leaders more now.” Haddock’s Tourette’s is not always noticeable on the soccer field nor has it been a hurdle while running for the Hemet track team. In fact, Haddock’s fast feet carried her to the CIFSouthern Section Division II finals in the 300-meter hurdles last season as a sophomore. “Me and Monse (Monserratt Cruz-Rodriguez) we both run track and our times are almost identical in the shorter sprints,” said Haddock when asked if she’s the fastest player on the Bulldogs soccer team. “It’s definitely a huge advantage to have speed … but obviously I can’t do anything without the team.” Bulldogs coach Craig Dwinnellsays it’s normally the game plan to utilize Haddock’s speed on the attack. “We can’t always kick the ball and hope she (Haddock) runs on to it, we want to knock the ball around and send some through balls when we need to,” Dwinnell said. “Both of our forwards are pretty quick so we try to use that to our advantage.” Haddock has also been quick to try new things, such as taking the school’s multimedia class which airs television newscasts for the campus. “I’ve started doing our sports wrap-ups every Wednesday and Friday. … I literally just the other day told my teacher, Mr. Hill, I feel like Pep Fernandez and this is HSGameTime,” Haddock said while grinning. Dealing with the pressure and anxiety that’s associated with broadcasting news has helped Haddock manage her Tourette’s. Just like soccer and track, Haddock has it under control. CONTACT THE WRITER: [email protected]