Senior Caroline Love has been a key figure in the rise of Mira Costa’s girls flag football program. As one of the original members of the team, she has played a leading role in building its foundation and maintaining a strong, supportive environment for her teammates and coaches.
Love’s athletic path began long before she joined the flag football team. She grew up playing basketball and softball, but her love for sports skyrocketed when she started watching football with her family. Her early interest in the game set the stage for what would become such a defining part of her high school experience.
“My biggest inspiration is my dad because he’s always been right by my side and is always willing to help with what I need,” Love said. “My hero is Peyton Manning because I grew up watching the Broncos when he was playing for them and it was always fun to see him on TV and then I got to meet him which was an incredible experience.”
When Mira Costa introduced a girls flag football team, Love saw it as an opportunity to combine her lifelong passion as well as leadership. She joined in eighth grade and was eager to help establish the new program as one of the first female players to represent Costa in the sport.
“I’ve always loved football,” Love said. “As soon as I heard that there was a flag football team starting I think I was the first one to sign up and I was just so excited to jump on it.”
Over the past two years, Love has become a central part of the team’s success. One of her proudest moments came when Mira Costa won Bay League, a victory that defined both dedication and teamwork.
“For flag football, my proudest moment was beating Redondo last season to win Bay League,” Love said. “It was a tight game, great pass and great last minute win, which is always awesome.”
Love believes that the team’s success comes from its unity and positive energy. She describes the group as tight-knit, emphasizing the shared experience of supporting a new sport at Costa has brought them closer together.
“I think Costa’s flag football team is really upbeat and we have amazing energy,” Love said. “We have really good chemistry- it’s less like a team and more like a family. We all get along very well and nobody argues with each other.”
While balancing games, practices, and academics can be challenging, Love has learned how to manage her time efficiently. She often finds extra time outside of practice to completely maintain her responsibilities as a student-athlete.
“It’s definitely hard to balance all of my schoolwork and sports,” Love said. “I’ve managed to find time either before or after practice and staying up late to make sure I have time for my friends and figuring out a schedule that works for me.”
Her passion for football continues to open doors beyond Mira Costa. Love has received ten offers so far to play flag football at the college level and hopes to attend her dream school, SUNY Geneseo, in upstate New York. “I hope to commit to a school by the end of the calendar year,” Love said.
As she experiences her final season, Love hopes to inspire younger athletes who are interested in joining the team or exploring the sport for the first time.
“Try out and if you don’t make it, keep trying because there are endless opportunities,” Love said. “Just be you.”
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