Athletics have been a part of my life since the moment I was able to walk, whether it was recreational sports at Borge Park or sitting in the bleachers at The Wolves Den watching my parents coach or my cousins participate.
As the years went by, I've not only been blessed to participate in almost every sport offered, but I've also been able to be coached by some of the best, and eventually alongside one of the best, my Mom. I've always loved being involved, being able to be with my friends, and as many say, “a social butterfly”. I haven't always been as committed as I've been in the last couple of years, but I wouldn't change a thing, as my involvement has brought me memories I will cherish forever. Through my high school years, I've been lucky enough to participate in Volleyball, Track and Field, and, most recently, my favorite, Flag Football. Although I've only participated in three. I'm lucky to have been able to cheer on some of my best friends in many others including, Wrestling, Cross, Basketball, Football, and even Tennis and Golf (which is a little less of cheering and more about moral support).
Although my athletic career is closing fairly soon, I will continue on in my parents' footsteps and continue on coaching little league in basketball and softball. Coaching the youth is so important to me, especially when it comes to teaching my little sister everything I've picked up over the past fourteen years. Watching the young girls I am able to connect with in their passion with sports and being able to witness them grow, work together, and build memories as I did truly feels like a full circle moment. Not only does coaching help me stay connected to athletics, but I'm also able to help these girls become the kind of teammates I was fortunate enough to have throughout my seasons. I hope to instill in them teamwork, sportsmanship, and the ability to work hard and play aggressively.
As I complete my last high school sports season, I know I am not totally finished with sports and I hope to join some recreational leagues at college in Billings to not only allow myself to keep having fun but also stay in shape as well. Saying goodbye to the sports I’ve been so connected with is hard. I know that without participating, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I am thankful for the many memories made while in sport, and truly grateful for the social skills sports have taught me.
As an athlete at Wolf Point High School, the athletic programs have challenged and encouraged me in many ways. Over the last four years, I have participated in football and basketball. As a senior now, I had the honor of being a captain in both football and basketball. This role has shaped how I view the team as a leader and figuring out how my team can be successful. The past three years, I’ve been a key player for the team as a starter on the offensive line. My senior year was the first year being one of the five captains of the team whereas I have been a basketball captain for the past two years. Being a captain of a football team is different from being a captain of a basketball team as there are different responsibilities and goals on the field but the roles as a captain remain the same. As a captain, I have responsibilities like being the hardest worker on the field and keeping everyone accountable on and off the field. This role as an athlete and a captain keeps me disciplined and that wants everyone pushing to be their best.
Last year my team had a new look of starters and captains which included me. Being one of them I knew the responsibilities would be more challenging throughout the year. I knew I had to be at every practice, be an example for the younger audience and push one another so they look up to me as a leader. We ended the season with a good idea of what we need to work on and accomplish for our goals. One goal this season is to advance past the district tournament and as a senior captain I have to work the hardest to reach this goal. The athletics I’m involved in mean the most to me and I want our teams to be the best. Basketball is my passion and this fuels my desire to get everyone involved and on the same page as one another. As a team we are no stronger than our weakest link, I just want my team to focus more on what that means.
In Wolf Point, I think our basketball program means a lot to the town and being a captain of the team has a lot of pressure on me. People are always cheering us on and rooting for our team and I feel responsible to keep this team up and to be remembered in the town. One of our coaches has experience with a state championship under his belt and I always hear, "His team was elite, they were a run and gun team and no one stopped them." Our program is valued by the community because it gives us an outlet to help out children and people due to many kids wanting to thrive in the sport. Coaches who loved the sport so much they had to come back to teach the younger generations. So after my four years here as an athlete at Wolf Point High School, the programs have shaped my character into the hard working teammate that keeps his teammates up, the disciplined teammate that shows up for every practice, and the leader that is willing to do whatever for his team. I hope that with my last year at this school I can have the community remember my positive impact on my teams.
Sports have shaped the person I am today. I fell in love with cross country the moment I started in 3rd grade. I didn’t know it yet, but joining would be crucial to who I am today. Cross country is undoubtedly one of the most mentally challenging sports. It takes heart, grit, strength, and determination to get through it. Since I joined so young, these lessons of perseverance became engraved in my heart. It has taught me so many valuable lessons that I apply not only to sports, but to my everyday life. I take pride in my endurance, but I also recognize that cross country taught me it.
Every finished practice was a fulfilled promise to myself to never give up. I quickly learned that I can do hard things and trust myself. I learned to be open to change throughout my running career. In 7th grade I developed shin problems. I dealt with this pain for the next 2-3 years. These years were a struggle for me. Eventually my dad started working diligently with me to fix this issue. I had to completely change my running form which is not an easy task. I was resistant but felt the difference once I finally accepted the challenge of change. Since then, I’m much more open-minded and adaptable.
My sport was always cross country, but I was persuaded into doing basketball my freshman year. I was intimidated at first because everyone else had been playing for years. Though I felt unprepared, I began the steady road of improvement. I went to the wellness center with my dad every chance I got, attempting to play catch-up with my more experienced teammates.
My freshman year I got little to no playing time on varsity but was getting experience on JV. My sophomore year I started getting some minutes at the end of varsity games. Though I wasn’t getting real playing time yet, I could feel myself starting to understand the game. The summer between my sophomore and junior year is where I really fell in love with the game. My team and I played in tournaments all through the summer. Over the summer it had become my sole goal to be a starter for varsity. I gave it my all every chance I got. My goal, showcased in my mind, made me determined to get that spot.
I remember vividly the practice where my coach announced who the starters would be. I listened anxiously as he read out the 5 names. To my relief and excitement I heard my name called. At that moment all my hard work and discipline became worth it. I left that practice more confident in my basketball ability, but more importantly in my ability to reach my goals. This experience taught me that I can set high goals for myself and go through with them.
Sports have undoubtedly changed me as a person. Not only as an individual, but as a community member. Sports have a special way of connecting people which I’m so grateful to have experienced. I’m honored to have been able to see the positive impact sports have on my community. I have learned many valuable lessons through my experiences that made me a better athlete, teammate, and person. Thanks to sports I have more confidence, adaptability, determination, and kinship. I have so much gratitude towards athletics for improving my life in many positive ways.
