She said there’s a strong sense of pride to play for Guatemala because that’s where her bloodlines are from. That’s where her parents were born and where Marco and Ruth lived before they came to America.
“I really want to serve my country, and my dad’s background and my mom’s background,” she said. “My teammates understand. They’re happy for me.”
In Argueta’s eyes, she’s experiencing the best of both worlds. She’ll make the most of the time she has now with the Mustangs and then she’ll take off and play for Guatemala. It’s a win-win situation for her.
However, she’ll still miss Costa Mesa.
“I wish it didn’t interrupt my high school season,” Argueta said. “I wanted to finish strong. But I guess this is also a really great experience. There’s not really much you can do. I didn’t want to miss out on this experience.”
During the summer, Guatemalan Coach Stanley Gardiner came to the U.S. to conduct a tryout that included 50 American girls whose parents or grandparents were from Guatemala. Argueta’s speed helped set her apart from most. Being left-footed doesn’t hurt.
She’s only 5-foot-2, but uses her speed to carry out an aggressive style on offense. Plus her attention to teamwork also helps her fit in with just about any team.
Argueta is not fluent in Spanish and doesn’t know any of the other languages spoken in Guatemala, but her teammates there know English and help her out.
“I feel really lucky that I was selected,” Argueta said. “I know it’s going to be a great experience. I already went to train. The girls are nice. The area is nice. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I love the girls. I can experience something internationally, something other than from home.”
