Wellesley Athletes of the Week: Girls Volleyball’s Lauryn Soohoo and Girls Swimming & Diving’s Elaine Cheng
Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance. The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.
Athlete of the Week: Lauryn Soohoo
Sport/position: Volleyball, Setter
When & how you got involved in volleyball: I started to play volleyball in the summer of 7th grade. Both of my parents have played for over 30 years but have never forced me to play, however after I gained interest in the sport they have been very sportive throughout my volleyball journey.
What you love most about volleyball: I love being able to make new friends in school and club season and to be a part of such a great community. I also have many cousins and family friends that play volleyball, making the sport a great way for us to bond and has become a significant part of my life.
Pre-match routine: I don’t have a specific pre-game ritual, but I usually try eat some snacks and fruit to fuel my body before a game.
Top goal for this season: To go far in the playoffs and continue to become more supportive of not only our individual teams but the volleyball program as a whole.
Thoughts about this year’s team: We have a really strong team in every position this year that’s willing to put in their effort and dedicate their time to improve and grow together as a team. We have also been doing lots of team bonding off the court which has helped improve our team chemistry when playing.
An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: An accomplishment this school year is running a 5-1 system on varsity this year, and setting up my teammates for success while simultaneously creating stronger connections with my hitters.
A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: Coach Carlos and Coach Lexi coming in as new coaches to the program and having to learn close to 50 names is understandably difficult, and although they have gotten better, everyone on the team has at least one nickname that the coaches have created or weird and funny pronunciation of our names and continued to address us as them throughout the season.
Interests outside of volleyball: Outside of volleyball I enjoy photography. I am part of the intensive photography class at the high school and love that the class forces me to go outside of my comfort zone in the style or subject I photograph. In my free time I mostly enjoy taking photos of flowers, animals, the sky, architecture and anything else I find cool or interesting.
Coaches Lexi De La Cruz and Carlos Mercado on Lauryn Soohoo: “Lauryn is an exceptional athlete who stands out not only for her physical ability, but also for her mental focus and willingness to continue to grow as a player. She always listens to the coaches and her teammates, allowing her to adjust her game and learn from each experience. She is never satisfied with what she has achieved. Lauryn is always looking for ways to improve – whether in her technique, decision making and mental toughness.”
Athlete of the Week: Elaine Cheng
Sport/position: Varsity swimming/sprinter (50 & 100 free)
When & how you got involved in swimming/diving: I used to live in California, so when I was in daycare, we would put on wetsuits every Friday and go to a nearby pool to learn how to swim. Back then, I was afraid of getting my face wet, but after I got my first pair of goggles, I loved being in the water. Fast forward a few years, and I joined my first USA Swimming club team when I was seven.
What you love most about swimming/diving: I love the feeling of being underwater and having everything else fade away. I love feeling strong, powerful, and in control moving through the water. I love feeling proud and accomplished after a race, but most importantly, I love the love and support of the Wellesley High Girls Swim and Dive Team. Swive Hive has been more impactful for me than any club team I’ve been on—and I’ve been on a lot.
Pre-game routine: I like to listen to music to help get in the zone, and I stand by Gatorade, Skyflakes, and gummy bears as the best swim meet snack.
Top goal for this season: I hope we’ll be able to nab our sixth straight State Champs this year, and I’d like an individual gold in the 50 or 100 free as well.
Thoughts about this year’s team: We’re very lucky to have such a large body of hardworking, talented, and passionate newcomers this year, who really know how to bring the energy. Together with our experienced returners, I think we’re in a good spot to take home a few more golds.
An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: I was happily surprised when I beat out some really fast swimmers to win second place in the 100 free at Sectionals last year, and I was really proud to be named a Boston Globe All-Scholastic and All-State athlete in 2023, too.
A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: We have a team tradition of driving down to Provincetown to participate in the Swim for Life fundraiser, which is a 1.2 mile swim along the coast. This year, the Swim landed on a particularly windy day and the waters were really choppy. I remember at the starting line, the waves had brought in a ton of gunk, so we were basically wading in three-feet deep piles of seaweed instead of actually swimming in the ocean. During the swim, I kept getting flung over when I tried to take a breath, and I didn’t know where the finish line was either. The Swim was definitely difficult this year, but it was such a fun and memorable experience shared by all of us on the swim team. I find it both funny and inspiring to think we swam that far in such rough conditions.
Interests outside of swimming/diving: I am Captain of our school Mock Trial team and a member of the Dramatic Arts Company. I also just love being outdoors with friends and goofing off.
Coach Doug Curtin on Elaine Cheng: “Elaine is an amazing leader in and out of the pool. Elaine has helped lead the charge on including our students with disabilities and even went to a national conference for STXBP1 with Lily Kahrl this past summer. On top of that, Elaine has played a crucial role in practice setting the tone for our very young team, leading by example and always pushing herself in practice. Her work speaks for itself. Last week, we won 2 meets (Natick and Brookline) and at our Brookline meet she placed first in the 50 free and 100 free, as well as being a part of both 200 and 400 free relay teams, which came in first. The first place finish was needed in the 400 free relay to help with the meet (we won on the final event 95-91). Elaine is one of our top swimmers and top performers in the state in her respective events.”
Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.
Past Athlete of the Week profiles
