Kodama keeps the ball rolling

Valeria Ruiz '25

Content Editor

Miye Kodama '24 has made a lasting mark on Louisville High School's hallways and fields as a brilliant example of athletic ability and determination. Her incredible journey has had such an enduring influence on our school community. Kodama thinks back on how long awaited the soccer and basketball CIF wins were, commenting that “it feels kind of surreal, but also great to have put Louisville's name out there.” 

Kodama’s stacked seasons were a whirlwind of action, she talked about the intensity of running from game to game and taking “it one thing at a time.” She said that if  “I was worried about the basketball game, I wouldn't have been as focused on winning the soccer game.” 

Kodama’s schedule was a juggling act, as the athlete said, “the biggest challenge for me was definitely fatigue and having to stay on top of my school work.” However, her coaches help her by being “great about communicating with each other and with me and just tell me which practices and games I need to be at while also allowing me to have a say.” 

The support system she got from her teams and coaches were a huge part of her journey as a dual athlete and how they, in Kodama’s words, “do all the heavy lifting in that aspect if I’m being honest.” 

A question Kodama is constantly asked is, which does she prefer: soccer or basketball? 

She commented, “I am more serious about soccer and basketball is more for fun, but I love both teams and sports equally.” 

Her highlights of her senior year season were “definitely winning CIF for the second time in basketball and winning CIF and state in soccer.” A true feat that is not accomplished by many people simultaneously. 

Kodama commented on the unique feeling of playing a sport as a senior saying, “senior year is the most special because for a lot of girls it will be the last time playing that sport. In the years before you always know you have the year after that. But when you're a senior, there is no next year.” 

Her and her team used their senior season as motivation, Kodama said, “we all just wanted to do something that would be remembered and we played every game like it was our last because when we got to CIF every game could've been.” 

Kodama also said that, for her, winning CIF “has always been a goal since entering high school so to finally win it after three years of trying and getting to do it with all my friends meant the world to me.” The dual athlete talked about how “the whole team made goals in the beginning of this year and our biggest goal was to just get to CIF. We didn't even write to win it or to even get to state, so the fact we went above and beyond is insane.” 

Kodama further reflected on the experience of being a dual sport athlete, saying, “It has changed me for the better and taught me a lot about what I now know I am capable of in terms of commitment, dedication and time management”. 

She is continuing her soccer career at Cal State Monterey Bay next year, commenting that “I am undecided if I am going to continue playing basketball as well,” and life after college is yet to be determined. 

When asked about how it feels to further her athletic career, Kodama explained “I am excited, but it is bittersweet leaving my current teammates because we have spent four years together and have become like family, so I’m sad about that but I’m grateful for the time we have had together and I’m ready for what's next” 

She ended the interview by shouting out the people who made it possible for her: 

“It has been the best experience of my life and I just want to say thank you to my teammates, coaches, Kay and everyone who has supported me these past four years. I couldn't have done it without you.”

As we bid farewell, we're grateful for her incredible journey and the impact she's had on Louisville. Miye Kodama's dedication to sports has been inspiring and so motivating to many to pursue their goals. As she heads to Cal State Monterey Bay, we're confident she'll continue to excel. Thank you, Kodama, for your strength and sportsmanship!