23, Flag Football Player
Why She’s Interesting: Few people can say that they had the chops to play two NCAA Division I sports and won a gold medal for their country — in a completely different sport. However, North Ridgeville native Isabella Geraci is a pure athlete who has suited up for basketball and track and field at the collegiate level and now plays for the United States Women’s Flag Football National Team. She’s hoping to make a run at the Olympics when the sport debuts in Los Angeles in 2028.
Trick play: As a kid, Geraci wanted to play any sport possible and wasn’t afraid of being tackled. This led her to be the only girl on the football team, earning her the nickname Izzy because her coach did not want to say Isabella or Bella on the field. “I honestly don’t think the other teams knew I was a girl. I just had short hair. You literally couldn’t tell in a helmet.”
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Sure Hands: Thirty-nine catches, 469 yards and five touchdowns — zero drops. That is the stat line Geraci put up with Team USA on the way to gold. What’s her secret weapon? If you asked her teammates and coaches, they would joke about her big hands. “She literally never drops the ball because her hands are so big, [my coaches says]. Which is probably true.”
Scarlet and Gray: Geraci finds inspiration on Saturdays, watching the Ohio State Buckeyes. “I’m a little biased. I loved watching Ted Ginn Jr. play. And then Marvin Harrison Jr. has been such fun to watch.”
Get Pwned: An avid gamer, her favorites are Warzone, Rainbow Six and Skyrim. “It’s crazy because you’d think I’d be less of an athlete because I spent so much time on video games, but I was literally outside all the time.”
Pizza, Pizza: No, she’s not related to those Geracis, of Slice Shop and Geraci’s Restaurant fame, nor can she get you a discount — she’s tried.
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