Sydney Aguilar is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Barry Goldwater for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – Whether she’s making plays on the field or keeping track of her statistics, Barry Goldwater sophomore Miriann Ramoni is committed to improving her game with aspirations of playing at the collegiate level.

In just her second year of playing flag football and her first season with the Bulldogs, Ramoni has quickly developed her skills and become a valuable contributor to the team with her speed. Her journey has been shaped by her experiences, personal influences and the work ethic she brings to the field.

“We didn’t teach her to be any more of an athlete,” Barry Goldwater head coach Tom Reagan said. “She’s the person who pays attention and works hard.”

Ramoni’s love for flag football began in California, where she attended Chino High School. Her family, especially her mom, Rosita Ott, who has an athletic background, inspired her to pick up a football and eventually try out for the Bulldogs.

“I work very hard,” Ramoni said. “I even work with my mom outside of school, after practice and sometimes on the weekends because I’m very committed.”

Ramoni also runs track for Barry Goldwater, making her a dual-sport athlete. Her background in track has helped develop her speed, allowing her to outrun defenders to the end zone and intercept opposing quarterbacks.

“Speed is something we can’t teach her,” Reagan said. “It’s all God-given talent and (that) makes the biggest difference.”

As a student-athlete, Ramoni faces many challenges as she balances both sports and her schoolwork. She must manage her time carefully and ensure her commitments don’t interfere.

Ramoni hopes to get recruited and earn a scholarship to play flag football at the college level. To get herself noticed by scouts, she posts highlights and statistics to her MaxPreps profile and she also created an Instagram account to showcase her skills. 

After games, she reviews film to calculate the yardage on her receptions, touchdowns and interceptions.

Her mom is her biggest supporter, recording videos for her MaxPreps profile and Instagram, while also noting statistics throughout the games.

“My mom was a nice help because she taught me how to navigate MaxPreps and figured it all out,” Ramoni said.

To perform at her best, Ramoni focuses on staying persistent because she knows not every play will go as planned. Even after a loss, her motto is to hold her head high and put in the extra work the next day at practice.

“If it’s a misplay, I always tell myself that I’ll get it next time,” Ramoni said.

Her teammates describe her as reliable and determined.

“She’s someone who lifts others up and we can always count on her, whether it’s catching the ball, pulling a flag or doing whatever to help her teammates,” senior London Farmer said.

Ramoni’s rapid skill development hasn’t gone unnoticed. Her teammates and coaches have seen the confidence she’s gained throughout the season. They recognized how quickly she has adapted, while improving her routes and adjusting to the football.

“She’ll be a superstar if she keeps working hard,” Reagan said. “If she puts in the work, she’ll be able to achieve whatever she wants.”

With two years left at Barry Goldwater, she has plenty of time to see how far her passion for flag football can take her.