"That a girl!"

It's a phrase not uncommon in female sports. But at a football practice? Now that's something you don't hear everyday.

Lauren Hayhurst is a freshman at Alhambra High School. She is the kicker on the frosh football team and, as she punts the ball through the air during practice, her teammates don't hesitate to encourage her.

"At first it was awkward," said Lauren of being the only girl. "But now they know that I can kick. They treat me like one of the guys; it's no different."

Head coach Luke Bodwin says he was intrigued when Lauren first approached him. In his 10 years of coaching football he's had girls want to try out for the team before. None, however, have followed through — until Lauren.

"[Lauren] did everything we asked her to do," said Bodwin. "She came and took the kicking job. She put up the same effort as everyone else."

Lauren's passion for football comes from her dad. Her father is a semi-pro football coach and growing up, Lauren was the water girl for her dad's team. Her competitive soccer background made Lauren an easy candidate for the kicking position once at Alhambra.

The Bulldogs are the first organized football team Hayhurst has played on. She says she has known for a while that football is something she wanted to do.

"I've always thought that if you can do something go for it. No matter what people say it's what you wanna do," said Lauren.

The Alhambra

"Half of the time they will notice or the announcer will say something," said Bodwin. "I think the novelty wears off. Once they see her kick the ball they say 'OK, she's just a player.'"

When Alhambra played Benicia, the announcer told the crowd about Lauren's presence. At first, it bothered her.

"It wasn't necessary," Hayhurst said. "I didn't want to be treated any different."

While she maintains that self-determining attitude, Lauren is also aware how her presence on the football field is an inspiration to many other girls. Bodwin recently talked with her about that motivation.

"I told her how people are looking at her; saying 'Hey look what she's doing,'" said Bodwin. "(Lauren's) opened the door. She made it something that's possible."

Lauren's friends and family have been very supportive. Her parents have been at all her games and she says her friends always cheer the loudest in the stands.

And this is only the beginning for Hayhurst. She plans on continuing her football career at Alhambra. Her goal is to next year make the junior varsity squad and eventually varsity. If she accomplishes that, Lauren will be the first girl at Alhambra to do so.

"I love playing it so much," Hayhurst said. "If I make it that far [to JV and Varsity], it will be cool to share that with other people."