By Jeanne Sager
ELDRED — November 8, 2002 – Jenny Haas is your average 16-year-old. . .until she steps out onto the athletic field.
The Eldred Central School junior likes hanging out with her friends and her boyfriend. And she giggles when she’s nervous.
But when she’s got her game face on, watch out.
Haas has been playing softball and basketball since she was a little tyke facing off against older brother Jeffrey or challenging the members of other Little League teams or All-Star basketball squads.
She began playing soccer in seventh grade and was quickly moved up to varsity two years later because of her speed and agility on the field.
“That was really cool,” Haas recalled. “I had just started to play in seventh grade, and I was moved up in ninth.”
Being moved up a year later to varsity basketball from the jayvee squad wasn’t quite as exciting – she was younger than the rest of the team and spent more time on the bench – but Haas enjoys the positive feedback she gets from sports.
“I like when people come up and congratulate you because they see you’ve done something good,” she explained. “I love sports – it’s my way of life.
“I base everything around my sports.”
And she means that. She starts soccer in August before the school doors open. She has a one-week window in November before basketball starts, and then she takes to the court for a season.
By the time the Lady Yellowjackets complete their hoops season, Haas is ready to take over second base on the softball diamond for the Eldred team.
“It’s tiring,” she noted, “but I love sports.”
Haas has always had a competitive drive, she explained.
“She’s a well-rounded girl,” said girls’ soccer Coach Laura Schneider. “She loves to play, she loves sports, and I loved having her on a team.”
Haas moved around on the field during the past soccer season – sometimes playing as a fullback or halfback and other times manning the goal.
But she still recorded four goals for the Lady Yellowjackets and led the team on offense.
Now she’s looking forward to getting out onto the court for another season of varsity basketball.

Name: Jenny Haas

Age: 16

Hometown: Eldred

School and grade: 11th grader at Eldred Central School

Parents and family: Haas’ parents are Leeann and Jeff. She has an older brother Jeffrey, older sister Jessica and two younger brothers, James and Joseph.

Favorite sports: soccer and softball

Favorite school subject: physical education.