The most dominant and consistent flag football player in the county is much closer to joining Team USA for the 2028 Olympics.
Sparked by becoming The Ledger’s Player of the Year three times which has led to her regional and national buzz, Haines City’s Zebrielle Canaday has already started the process of joining Team USA. The multisport athlete has already participated in the talent camp in El Segundo, California, which tested speed, agility and flag-specific football skills ― and she aced this test. Now she has been invited to the national team trials this week, which is scheduled in Carson, California and if she does well there against Team Canada, she has a chance to be on Team USA.
“It feels great to be recognized and have the chance to compete against some of the best players in the country,” Canaday said. “…I just have to compete, make plays, and show what I can do. I’ve been training everyday and staying ready, both mentally and physically.”
Canaday has been a quarterback for Haines City during these deep playoff runs. This past season she racked up 901 passing yards and six touchdowns as well as 1,156 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns, which helped the Hornets advance all the way to the regional quarterfinals against the No. 2 team in all of the United States.
Still, she said she doesn’t think she will be the quarterback; rather a wide receiver, a safety or a running back on Team USA. She certainly has the natural skills for those positions, as she runs like the wind and stops and starts on a dime. She also has very good hands, as well.
Once the national team trials are over and she does well enough, she would then be invited to training camp, and thereafter the 12-athlete rosters are chosen.
“I’m super proud of Z and what she’s accomplished in her high school career, not only for what she did in flag football, but what she did in basketball,” Haines City flag football coach Stephen Stansbury said. “Z is a multitalented sport athlete. She can pretty much accomplish anything she wants. The biggest reason is because she’s super coachable, she listens to her coaches, she always is respectful when it comes to a game plan… Z is super special young lady that has done well for herself. I wish her well in her future. I know she would be successful in college, and I hope and pray that she actually is on Team USA. I would love to see her not only represent herself, but I would love to see her represent Haines City High School and Polk County I the Olympics.”
Canaday is also gearing up for Livingston College in North Carolina for basketball and flag football.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Haines City’s Zebrielle Canaday looks to join Team USA flag football
Reporting by Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Magobet, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
