In relation to her academic and athletics, Janae Matos doesn't mind having the proverbial full plate.

Matos, who will be a senior at Catasauqua in the fall, is a member of the school National Honor Society, Student Council, Varsity C as well as being the class secretary and a school board representative. On the field and courts, Matos has been a major contributor to the school's basketball, field hockey, and softball programs.

This past year, her productive year in and out of the classroom earned her the Catasauqua Press's Female Athlete of the Year award. In fact, she received the same honor last year.

It is another among a list of accolades Matos has earned during her three varsity seasons. Yet, the soft-spoken Matos has taken them all in stride.

"It is good to hear something like this," reflected Matos. "When I receive an award, it lets me know that my hard work is paying off. Any award is a great honor. I like to keep busy, too. It helps me keep focused with my grades."

Despite having her senior year on the horizon, Matos has already accomplished what most seniors achieve in their four years. She is regarded as a leader and mainstay on her teams, and can reach another level starting in the fall.

Still, the reality of it all can be a little intimidating.

"It is a little scary knowing that this is my last year," added Matos. "As a freshman, I wanted to be able to help a team win a league championship and we did that in softball. I also want to be part of a district championship team and we came close (in softball losing the Class 2A title game).

"But I just want to be able to contribute to all of my teams next year."

With softball as the top of her list of sports in which she was among the team leaders in several categories, Matos is also looking forward to her seasons with field hockey and basketball. Field hockey qualified for districts last season and basketball will have a different look with the return of head coach Dave Troxell, who had the Roughies regularly in the postseason.

"Coach Troxell has been working with us and we have a number of girls who didn't go out last year coming back," she said. "Coach (Carrie) Saul showed us a number of new things and took us to districts. Both seasons will be exciting."

Her coaches have truly appreciated her efforts.

"Janae is a true leader and has done everything she can for the program," said former head girls' basketball coach Chad Werkheiser. "She (Matos) was a true inspiration to her teammates and always one of our hardest workers.

"She (Matos) is certainly deserving of it (award)," added head softball coach Bobby Thomas. "With our enrollment and being a small school, a lot of athletes are expected to play three sports. She does a really good job in all of her sports and she really stepped it up this year in softball. It is a great honor for her."

With a full schedule, Matos admittedly hits some lulls along the way.

"I do get tired once in a while," said Matos. "When that happens, I just take a day to reflect and relax. There are days when I have to recharge."

Matos credited graduates and then seniors Nicole Kern, Kelsey Kunkle, and Amanda Strohl in helping her adjust during her freshman year.

"It just took me a couple of games to get my confidence," recalled Matos on her beginnings in the overall program. "Those seniors were a big help. It was a matter of getting confidence in myself and knowing what I could do."

Matos also credits her family for their constant support. Her older sister, Jessica, a 2008 Catty graduate, also was a part of the softball program. Her family also has an influence on her college choice as she wants to be within driving distance of home, so her family come and watch her play softball.

She plans to pursue a career in criminal psychology, a field that has intrigued her due to the TV show "Criminal Minds" and a recent psychology class.

"I took a psychology class last year and it was interesting," Matos stated. "I also have been hooked "Criminal Minds." That field will be a good one for me. I have heard from a few schools and I'll go to where the best opportunity is presented to me. "

Matos is also glad she continued to call Catty home.

"There were some days when I thought about being at a bigger school," she noted. "But if was, I probably couldn't play all three sports. Catty is a tight-knit school and my teammates are very close. I'd like to come back and win a district championship for coach Thomas. He has done so much for us, and he has made me feel at home."

For the past three years, Matos has made plenty of the Catty faithful feel comfortable, too.