Alan Judson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Notre Dame Prep for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX – The Notre Dame Prep Saints have just one senior on their 2025 flag football roster, filled by an unlikely face and new captain – A newcomer and pole vaulter in her final year of high school.

Senior halfback Alie Nguyen has quickly earned a captain title and became a staple of the Saints defense, showcasing her natural gifts.

“She’s tough as nails. She loves to play,” coach Robert Gwinn said. “She's fast, she's incredibly athletic and she does some things that are very natural, athletic moves.”

Football runs in the Nguyen family. Her brother, Thai, is a wide receiver for Notre Dame Prep, but the older sister didn’t start playing football until her final possible opportunity.

“It was really just a side quest, just for fun,”  Nguyen said. “I have a fun sport to do and I don’t have to worry about anything. Pole vault is my main sport, so having something relaxing and fun for me has been really cool.”

Nguyen has fallen into an ultimate team role within the first five games, where Notre Dame Prep currently sits 2-3, and has held teams to just 14.6 points per game, where Nguyen has starred at weak-side corner.

“If someone breaks it out to the right, Alie's going to get her,” Gwinn said. “She’s got quick hands when it comes to pulling flags, and she's not a princess. She's willing to go in and mix it up and beat around.”

The offense, however, has struggled to get going in 2025, averaging just 6.6 points per game, while failing to score in the last three weeks. However, those numbers do not fall on Nguyen, as Gwinn has been vocal about the need to get the ball in the hand of the senior more often.

That willingness to put in extra work paid off quickly for Nguyen, as she was quickly named a captain for the Saints, where she works with two teammates to lead their team through the season, both on and off the field.

“I’ve tried to not be the captain who's very bossy because it's my first year on the team too,” Nguyen said. “I try to have a positive attitude, make sure everyone's being respectful towards each other and to the coaches, especially that. I just try and make sure everyone feels included and not discouraged.”

Nguyen has been a star in the classroom as well, being accepted to her dream school, the University of Pittsburgh, early in October.

“When they care academically, they're not afraid to put in extra work,” coach Gwinn said. “They're not afraid to prioritize what needs to get done over what they want to do.”

Nguyen’s joy and hard work doesn’t end on the football field or classroom. The halfback excels in faith, and over the summer, popping popcorn and making slushies.

“Alie was one of our best over the summer,” said Treffen Rexius, one of Nguyen’s managers at Harkins Movie Theatre in Scottsdale over the summer. “She was always willing to go the extra mile and went through work with a smile.”