Athlete of the Week winner: Findley Wessel is a key piece to Treasure Coast's regional run

Congratulations to Fridley Wessel from the Treasure Coast girls soccer team, the latest TCPalm Athlete of the Week.

The Titans sophomore garnered 61.21 percent of the total vote in the Treasure Coast Newspapers' online poll held after the Jan. 22-27 playing period.

Each winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind TCPalm Prepzone Athlete of the Week shirt provided by BSN SPORTS. The Athlete of the Week poll is sponsored by Mulligan's Beach House Bar & Grill.

TCPalm Athlete of the Week poll voting: Check out our latest nominees!

Athlete of the Week winner: Gavin Harte helped Jensen Beach boys soccer's stretch run

Findley had a goal and an assist during Treasure Coast's 3-1 district-semifinal victory over Palm Beach Gardens. The Titans would go on to claim district runner-up honors.

Learn more about the sophomore on and off the pitch after she spoke with sports reporter Patrick Bernadeau. The interview was conducted on Feb. 2. Check back later for future winners and to vote in the next TCPalm Athlete of the Week poll.

Q & A with Treasure Coast's Findley Wessel

TCPalm: We're on the eve of regionals as your team prepares to head to the Orlando area. It's win-or-go-home time, so what's the mood of the team leading to your quarterfinal against Harmony?

Wessel: "It's a very nerve-wracking part of the season where if you lose, you're done. Going into the game tomorrow, it's gonna be a good game. We're not used to playing teams north of Orlando, so it's going to be interesting to see the competition. I'm excited and I think that if the girls bring their game then we can get an easy win."

TCPalm: What do you know about your opponent?

Wessel: "Talking to a couple of my teammates, they say that they have a good team. A couple of my girls play with them for club, but you know, they're definitely beatable. So I think that if we play like we usually play, we'll win."

TCPalm: What do you guys have to do in order to try and get a win Tuesday?

Wessel: "I think that we have to play just the TC style keeping possession, getting the ball out wide to our forwards and just driving up the goal and keeping constant pressure on their defense."

TCPalm: Last time you guys were are on the field, the team suffered the heartbreaking loss in the districts championship. What has the last few days been like getting over that and moving forward?

Wessel: "I think Coach Costigan (Titans head coach Kyle Costigan) has definitely prepared us mentally. We just had to go through a lot of tough losses and I think that this season has been a rocky one, but this is the toughest we've been in my two years here. And I think that the girls, we've gotten so close and grown such a good relationship that I'm super excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for us."

TCPalm: You sort of answered my next question. How has last season compared to this one?

Wessel: "It's a big change. We lost a couple seniors that were very valuable to us and I think that you can tell on the field. We've been a little rocky, but I think that we've overcome it. We got new freshmen that with more practice together, we'll get right to where we were last year."

TCPalm: Your last season, as a freshman, was your debut season. How has this season been different now that you had a season under your belt?

Wessel: "I think that I stuck with us as a leader on the field and to show the girls that this is more than just a team, this is a family, we need to come together and be strong out there for our seniors and for the school because we're not only playing for ourselves, we're playing for the school as a whole family."

TCPalm: What would you categorize as your strengths on the field?

Wessel: "I think that my strengths include my physical presence. I'm a very aggressive player. When I'm on the ball, I make sure that I stay on the ball and don't get knocked off. And I think that my awareness on the field is very good. I always try to find the right person, the right pass at the right time.

TCPalm: A few questions about your teammate. What's your favorite thing about them, collectively?

Wessel: "There's no drama. It's so peaceful out there and I really feels like they're my sisters. I think that we have such a close relationship and I can tell them anything.

TCPalm: Who is the funniest sister?

Wessel: "Natalya Paula. She has such a funny personality and she doesn't care what anyone thinks."

TCPalm: Which teammate has the most swag?

Wessel: "Maybe Daniella Bianchini."

TCPalm: Which teammate is the toughest?

Wessel: "I think Lupita Vargas. She's a senior, she got hurt and torn ACL, unfortunately. But she's like a mom to me. I mean, she pushes me to do my best; after every game, I get a text from her. She's a beast out on the field mentally and physically and I'm just so proud of her for everything that she's gone through."

TCPalm: Just a few more questions, some questions about yourself. How long have you been playing soccer?

Wessel: I've been playing soccer for 13 years.

TCPalm: What do you think it is about the sport that has not only grabbed but hold your interest?

Wessel: "When I stepped on the field, I feel free. I think that all my problems, all the thoughts that I have just go out the window. I'm able to play my favorite sport with my favorite people.

TCPalm: Do you have a favorite player that you look up to?

Wessel: "I'm going to say Alex Morgan. She's been my role model since I was a little kid."

TCPalm: Was there a moment where you realized you could be really good at this?

Wessel: "Yes. I've had confidence issues my whole life, I think every athlete goes through a mental slump. But it wasn't until I joined a new club last year down in Palm Beach where I really grew into my cleats, saw the player I was becoming and started thinking, 'Wow, I could really turn this into a career.'"

TCPalm: Then a few questiosn that have nothing to do with soccer. If you had one thing to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Wessel: "Sushi. It's my favorite food."

TCPalm: What's the best place in town to get something to eat?

Wessel: "I think Sake Too in Tradition or Taco Dive."

TCPalm: If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Wessel: "Invisibility."

TCPalm: Last night was the Super Bowl and there was a very famous side character to the event. With that said, how many Taylor Swift songs can you name?

Wessel: "Not that many, I'm not a Swiftie. 'Cardigan,' 'Lover,' and that's about it."

TCPalm: What's on your music playlist?

Wessel: "All Drake. Drake and 21 Savage. I'm a rap girl."

Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at (772) 985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Treasure Coast's Findley Wessel earns TCPalm's Athlete of the Week honors