Colin Kirkpatrick is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Basha for AZPreps365.com

Junior Aaliyah Bribiescas might seem like another athlete at Basha High School.

But take a closer look, and one will find a committed, relentless competitor finding success in two varsity sports and handling a rather demanding schedule with remarkable poise – all while staying loyal to her true passion: softball. 

To most, she may be a regular two-sport athlete, splitting her time between flag football and softball.

But for Bribiescas it’s much deeper than that.  

“I’ve just been around softball my whole life,” Bribiescas said. “I just started playing flag football last year.”

Despite a relatively late start on the gridiron, she’s become a defensive backbone for Basha. Over the past two seasons, she’s grossed 81 solo tackles, seven sacks, three interceptions and seven pass deflections, which is not bad for having only two years of experience. On the other side of the ball, she totaled 27 catches for 284 yards, 111 rushing yards on 11 carries and a touchdown to her name. 

However, football takes a back seat to her end goal of being a collegiate softball player. Football was just another chance to try something new and challenging.

“I saw that flag football was getting lots of recognition, I just wanted to pick up something to fill up my time,” Bribiescas said. “It looked really fun, and I wanted to be a part of something on the rise.”

Bribiescas’ ability to adapt and face new challenges via an entirely new sport is just one of several examples why Basha softball head coach Kailey Pomeroy believes she is one-of-one. 

“I’d say her biggest impact is just her personality, just the way she shows up ready to give 100%,” Pomeroy said. “She’s not super vocal, but she leads by example, so that’s been a really big thing.”

That quiet leadership has been a cornerstone of Basha softball’s success. Last season, Bribiescas helped the team to a 24-5-1 record (7-1 premier region), appearing in 22 games, batting .282, with nine runs, five RBIs and two home runs

“She’s been a big ‘role kid’ for us,” Pomeroy said. “She knows what roles she has, and she does that whether it’s hitting that day or playing third base or behind the plate or if she’s on the bench. No matter where she’s at, she does whatever is needed to the best of her ability.”

Despite all she does during gametime, it’s what isn’t seen via a tireless school schedule and even more grueling athletic schedule that makes it all more impressive. 

Bribiescas’ evenings include football practice every day and doubles up on Tuesdays and Thursdays with club softball practice. On game days the schedule doesn’t change and either batting practice or softball practice proceeds directly after her football games.

For Bribiescas, consistency is key. 

“I think I like being busy,” Bribiescas said. “It could get a little stressful sometimes-like trying to handle it all, for the most part, I like having something to fill my days with.” 

Finding her flow between both sports hasn’t only been challenging, but it makes her a better athlete in both. 

“Flag football definitely makes me faster,” Bribiescas said. “It made my agility way better.”  

“Training it in practice and having that hand-eye coordination helps with tracking the ball in softball when you’re batting.”

And how these two-sport athletes have been able to advance their skill sets and strengthen their bodies in different sporting seasons has changed the way Pomeroy has looked at this trend. 

“I actually used to be against it,” Pomeroy said. “But looking into how their bodies move, I think it gives them a break mentally not having to do the same softball stuff over and over. They're using different muscles and becoming stronger, faster and more versatile.”

What started as hesitation has turned into appreciation. Pomeroy said she now sees clear benefits that stretch further than just staying mentally fresh and in shape. 

“For flag football, it’s more sprinting, more movement, stamina, cutting-  all of that makes them quicker for our sport,” Pomeroy said. “It strengthens their ankles and knees. So, I really enjoy my kids being multi-sport athletes in the offseason.”

But all things considered, Bribiescas said her heart leans to the diamond over the gridiron every time. 

“For softball, I go to a lot of college camps to try to get looked at for the collegiate level,” Bribiescas said. “It’s my first love.”