This senior striker helped a Pace turnaround en route to winning PNJ Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to the latest PNJ Athlete of the Week winner for the 2023-24 school year: Leo Barragan from the Pace boys soccer team.

The Patriots senior striker garnered 35.26 percent of the total vote in the PNJ’s online poll held after the Nov. 20-Dec. 2 playing period. Each winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind PNJ.com Athlete of the Week shirt provided by BSN SPORTS.

The Pace captain produced 11 points with four goals and three assists during a pair of Patriots wins. Barragan had four goals and two helpers during the team’s win against Pensacola Catholic on Nov. 28.

Latest AOTW winner: Patriots midfielder Becca Ryan wins PNJ's Athlete of the Week

Latest AOTW winner: West Florida's Abby Vernier wins PNJ's Athlete of the Week

Barragan has since been on the mend after tearing his hamstring early last month.

Learn more about the senior on and off the pitch after he spoke with PNJ sports reporter Patrick Bernadeau. The interview was conducted on Jan. 2.

Check back later for future winners and to vote in the next PNJ Athlete of the Week poll.

Q and A with Pace's Leo Barragan

PNJ: We'll start with an easy one here. How did you ring in the New Year?

Barragan: "Stayed at home, had a couple people over and watched the ball drop."

PNJ: Any New Year's resolutions?

Barragan: "Heal faster and don't tear my hamstring again."

PNJ: What's the last month been like for you?

Barragan: "It's been just a lot of sitting around, just doing little workouts that my physical therapist tells me to do."

PNJ: Have you been injured before?

Barragan: "No."

PNJ: When will you be back?

Barragan: "That's a tough one. That depends how physical therapy goes, but they're saying like five weeks."

PNJ: Looking at the season to this point, the team has played well. You guys currently have a winning record. What's been the key to success so far?

Barragan: "I think there's just a lot of team camaraderie here. I think that's it, we just kind of stick well together.

PNJ: What are some of the other strengths this team possesses?

Barragan: "We're good at possessing the ball, finding little openings and capitalizing."

PNJ: Given how the season has gone, what's a realistic expectation for the rest of it?

Barragan: "I'd say the next couple of games and win districts."

PNJ: Now a couple of questions about your teammates? Who is the funniest teammate?

Barragan: "I'd say Ryan (Mishoe). He's kind of a jerk, but he's funny."

PNJ: Which teammate has the most swag?

Barragan: "I'd say Christian (Baker)."

PNJ: How did you get into soccer?

Barragan: "I was just kind of born into it. I've been playing since I could walk."

PNJ: Who got you into it?

Barragan: "I'd say definitely my dad."

PNJ: Did he play?

Barragan: "Oh yeah, he played a lot as well."

PNJ: Do you have a favorite player?

Barragan: "Cristiano Ronaldo."

PNJ: When did you realize you could compete at a high level?

Barragan: "I'd say high school. In middle school, I didn't really care. I just kind of did whatever, but in high school, I started caring more and putting more work in."

PNJ: What would you say is your biggest strength?

Barragan: "I'd say playing anywhere on the field."

PNJ: Then a few questions that have nothing to do with soccer. If you had one place to travel to, where would you go?

Barragan: "Not to be too basic, but probably Paris."

PNJ: "If you had one thing to eat for the rest of your life?

Barragan: "Mac and cheese with hot dogs."

PNJ: What's on your music playlist?

Barragan: "I listen to a lot of stuff, but right now, I like the Smashing Pumpkins."

PNJ: Lastly, if you had one superpower, want would it be?

Barragan: "Being able to fly."

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

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pace's Leo Barragan takes home PNJ's Athlete of the Week honors