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After Lillie Bush-Reeves saw a Facebook post from Marty Carrascosa announcing that his son, Mount Vernon sophomore Rylan Carrascosa, had advanced to the top five in the Youth Athlete of the Year competition, she reached out to learn more about the young athlete. If Rylan wins, he will receive a $25,000 sports scholarship through Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation and an exclusive feature in Sports Illustrated magazine.
Lillie spoke with Marty before asking Rylan eight questions about his family, athletic journey, inspirations, and plans for the future.
1. How do you still help with the “small fry” in the family?
Being the big brother, I help with my younger siblings in a lot of different ways. I help them with homework, watch them, play with them, give them advice, and help around the house. I try to be someone they can count on and look up to. I know they pay attention to what I do, so I try to set a good example for them.
2. What have you taken with you from the time spent training with upperclassmen/now college players?
Training with Caydon Coffman starting in 5th grade, and others, has taught me lessons I can use both in sports and in life. One of the biggest things I learned from training with older, more experienced athletes is that improvement doesn't happen overnight. You have to stay dedicated, keep working toward your goals, and be willing to put in the work even when things get difficult. Watching how they trained taught me to stay consistent, trust the process, and keep improving.
3. What positions do you play for Tiger soccer?
I play defense for the Mount Vernon Tigers Soccer Team, playing both right back (RB) and left back (LB), depending on where the team needs me. It's interesting because in soccer, defense is my strength, and in football, offense is my strength. Totally different - but all sports improve all sports.
4. What are your plans after high school?
After high school, I want to continue pursuing sports while majoring in sports management or sports marketing. I want an education that helps me build a career while staying connected to the sports world. I know there is still a lot for me to learn, but I'm excited for the journey
5. What do you love most about playing sports?
I play football, soccer, and track, and I love what competing in those sports teaches me. Sports have taught me discipline, commitment, work ethic, and perseverance. Those are qualities that can carry over into anything I choose to do in life. I also love being part of a team. Being around teammates who are working toward the same goal pushes me to step up my game, compete, and give my best.
6. Who inspires you — on or off the field — and why?
My coaches inspire me because they have always pushed me to become more than just a better athlete. They challenge me to work harder and stay disciplined. One thing I've learned from them is that “the work you put in when nobody is watching is what shows when everybody is.” That has stuck with me because it reminds me that success comes from the effort you put in every day, even when no one is watching.
My mom and dad also inspire me because they are dedicated to my journey 100%. There have been many losses and mistakes, but every time, my parents are there to guide me. They come to everything I do and always encourage me, win or lose. "They’ve always taught me that if you give it everything you have, you never really lose—you either succeed or learn from it."
7. What’s one moment in your athletic journey thus far that makes you proudest?
One of the things I'm most proud of is the growth I made between my freshman and sophomore years. I put a lot of time into improving myself, especially my footwork, and I could see myself becoming a better and more confident player. My dad and I traveled to Dallas several times a week to train with elite trainers and academies that pushed me out of my comfort zone. There were many times I thought I reached my breaking point, but I kept pushing. These trainings, along with workouts at MVHS, helped me earn a spot on varsity as a sophomore. This was a proud moment because it showed that my hard work was paying off and that my coaches believed in me.
8. What’s something you’re proud of about yourself?
I'm proud that I don't give up easily. There have been times when I've put in a lot of work without seeing the results I wanted right away, but I never let that change my goals.
I've learned that progress doesn't always happen on my timeline, but I stay committed, keep pushing, and trust that the work will eventually pay off.
Vote for Rylan
Voting for the group finalists ends Thursday, September 24, at 8 p.m. PDT. Support Rylan and cast your vote at athleteoftheyear.org/2026/rylan-203b.
