NAOTB: Isabella Yakel
Thomas Dick, Texas A&M Athletics Communications
12thMan.com chatted with Isabella Yakel as Texas A&M commenced the fall practice session. Yakel arrived in Aggieland after three seasons as one of the top defenders in the West Coast Conference.
How excited are you for the season to start?
I’m really excited. The team has been really good. We have lots of energy and excitement going into the season, especially coming off a good spring where we ended up undefeated. I think the energy has been high and we are all really excited.
You guys made big strides over the spring. How did that carry over the summer?
I think the spring set the standard for all of us. We were all putting our best foot forward and setting the standard high for ourselves and for the team. Over the summer, I think we rose to those standards and put in the work to do well now.
This season we are going to have an all-new backline. What can we expect from the backline?
Over the spring, we all gelled together really well on and off the field. We’ve worked a lot on communicating with each other, making sure we have each other’s back, trust and confidence for the new freshmen. As a whole, we’re all there for each other and believe in each other.
What would you tell the 12th Man your strengths are?
I’m calm under the ball, very technical, I make the right decisions at the right time and can make a last-minute tackle when needed.
After a whole semester here, what is your favorite part of Aggieland so far?
I think it’s the culture. I’ve never really experienced anything like this before. Just being an Aggie has so much meaning behind it, and it really means a lot. I feel the support from everyone around me which is very helpful.
Growing up out west, what did you know about Texas A&M?
I know that Aggies are everywhere. No one in my family went to Texas A&M and I didn’t really know anyone that went to Texas A&M. I know the legacy and history this school holds runs very deep, so I’m excited to be a part of it.
When you were in the portal, what boxes did Texas A&M check off when you were looking for a place to go?
Number one was the strength of its soccer history. Texas A&M from the beginning has been a powerhouse, so that checked off a box. Academics wise, my major is business and there are so many different opportunities within the business school and many different things you can take part in to advance in your career. Lastly is the culture and school spirit. I came from a small school, so going to a big school was definitely a change I wanted and having this experience is really cool.
You talked about your major, what do you want to do after Texas A&M and soccer?
I don’t have a specific job in mind yet, but I am pretty sure that I want to work in sports, maybe around kids as well. I was an accounting major at my other school and I like numbers and data, so maybe analytics too.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I really like going to the beach which is something I miss a lot being from California. I also love cooking. I feel like it’s a way to take my mind off things when I’m bored or stressed.
What’s your favorite meal to make?
I made lasagna the other day, that was really good. I like making that because you can make a lot and have leftovers. I also like making salmon, tacos and ceviche.
Besides the beach, what do you miss most about being out west?
Just being close to my friends and family and being able to be home for my siblings’ soccer games and family events.
How is that first game at Ellis Field going to be?
Exciting. It’s going to be electric with the crowd and the energy this team brings. I’m really excited for what we have in store this year.
