Bonney Lake resident Shea Norton hits hard. She’s got the bruises, quadriceps tear and finger jams to prove it.
“I’ll never wear the wedding ring I was intended to,” she laughed.
While tiny at 5’5 and 135 pounds, 25 year-old Norton packs a punch as number 15 on the Seattle Mist, Washington’s Lingerie Football League team. She’s returned for a second season as tight end and linebacker.
“Getting ready for a game is like going into battle – you’d die for your sisters,” said Norton.
Norton relishes the team dynamic and play time – at , she played volleyball, tennis and track.
“I've always been just one of the guys – always a football fan but never played,” said Norton. “Seattle Mist teaches all aspects of football, but you just can’t learn true athleticism and lack of fear.”
She graduated from SHS in 2004 and got a degree in personal training. The competitive field has been difficult to crack into and Norton is currently working as a barista at Bikini Bottom in Tacoma. (Her drink? A 12-ounce double-shot white chocolate Americano with cream. Although, the seasonal eggnog lattes are very tempting, she said.)
“I want to go back to personal training. The economy went bad when I got out of school so there was barely any money in it,” said Norton. “But I plan to start getting back into it in the next few months.”
Football and fitness are Norton’s main priority now. When she isn’t watching the Seahawks and studying up on football, she likes to do the “fun, typical Bonney Lake stuff,” like hiking, trail running, golf and ATV quadding. She grew up the unincorporated Victor Falls area, near the Bonney Lake/Pierce County border. Any summer day over 70 degrees, you can find her on Lake Tapps in her speedboat. You might also catch her at karaoke on a Saturday night – country songs are her favorite.
“I’ll sing anything growly, loud and fun,” said Norton.
While she likes to go out and have a good time, Norton said she can’t drink alcohol on the Mist – the team’s training seasons last all year long.
“The league is getting severely competitive – the girls are stepping up their game,” said Norton. “The ones who end up staying on are the ones who make football their first priority.”
In addition to football practice, Norton focuses on lightweight endurance and bodybuilding in the gym.
“I tend to get muscular easier, so I do a lot of cardio and basic movements. I have some injuries that I’m working with, so I do a lot of jump rope and balancing – tight ends have to move quickly from side to side.”
Seattle Mist will battle Las Vegas Sin in their first homegame on Nov. 4 at the Showare Center in Kent. You can also catch the games on MTV2 every Friday night (check your local listings for showtimes).
“We sold out our whole season last year,” said Norton. “We’re the only team in the league that sells out. Its pretty humbling – makes us feel good.”
You can fan Shea Norton on Facebook or check out the Seattle Mist website for more information on game days and ticket prices.
Fans can support The Mist at the Kent home games for as little as $10 a ticket.
