From stardom to champion: Lia Paulette Cruz’ flag football journey to national recognition
The local Baja California athlete shares her dream of playing on U.S. National Team
CALEXICO, Calif., (KYMA, KECY) - Lia Paulette Cruz doesn't just play flag football - she dominates it in a way people from the desert southwest may have never seen or could have imagined.
While switching up from sport to sport as a kid, she wanted to try something new. After nine years of pouring her life into this new sport, Lia is on the top of the mountain in the flag football universe - well on her way to a future on the field.
Born in El Centro and then living in Mexicali, Lia was forced to travel to pursue her dream on the field - given that there was a lack of competitive opportunities for girls flag.
This challenge though, would ultimately act as a blessing and turning her into a trailblazer for young female athletes from the area.
What she may not have known was the door it would open for her across the country.
“My favorite part about playing flag football is that I've met a lot of people from all over the country and also the world,” said Lia. "It's been very important to me because I've been through a lot of good stuff and bad things. And it has all like made me better as a person and an athlete.”
Lia would compete for teams and tournaments all across the United States and the world - from Ensenada to Staten Island, New York. Her exposure to the game across the continent lifted her to a higher level of play and more recognition.
But on one day in Texas, Lia would soon be known all over the world for her flashiness and flair on the field - in a touchdown run that went viral on the internet.
That video was just a glimpse of Lia’s ability.
Yet, the road to recognition was not an easy one as Lia would hit a major hurdle in the road after battling through a serious injury that put her playing days in jeopardy.
“Two weeks before this injury I was like ‘if I ever had a knee injury or something, my career is going to be over.’ And then like, two weeks after at a game, at a tournament, I tore my ACL,” said Lia. “It was in Philadelphia and I went back home to a doctor and he was really negative about it, saying my athletic career was over… It really made me grow a lot mentally and physically too. But now I like take even more care of my health and I have to be more positive.”
So that motivated her to a full comeback. Just one year later, she was fully healthy and a big part of a World Cup championship team for the 17 and under U.S. National Team.
