Elk City baseball player Bryce Mouse recently gave an interview with VYPE.

VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?

My personal goals for this season are to become a better leader and role model for the team, win every game in which I pitch, and win the state baseball tournament.  Elk City High School has reached the Class 4A semi-finals of the state baseball tournament the past two years, and we really want to get over the hump and bring home a state title.  

VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?

My favorite athletic memories thus far involve spending time training and hanging out with my teammates at the Elk City High School baseball barn.  We all push each other to get better every day while growing our relationships with each other.

VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?

The teammate that has left the biggest impression on me thus far is Cooper Church. Cooper was a senior All-State pitcher on the 2023 Elk City High School baseball team.  Cooper displays how to be an exceptional leader. He displays how to stand firm on your beliefs and not let peer pressure change who you are. Cooper also displays how to work hard and compete at the highest levels.

VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?

My favorite part of being on this team is our culture. Everyone on this team has a common goal of wanting to improve every single day. We deeply care for each other and want to see the best for each other. We spend time together and invest into each of our relationships. It is something special when everyone on the team motivates you to become a better person and athlete day in and day out. In the end, we all have each other’s backs.

VYPE: Do you participate in any community service projects?

I have participated in community service projects such as Christmas Basket Delivery, Flags for Veteran’s Day, OBI Blood Drive, Field of Dreams baseball for the handicapped, Heart to Heart and Crisis Nursery donation drive.

VYPE: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?

I am a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, ECHS academic team, Interact Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I love the opportunity to be a part of all these groups because they provide avenues for personal growth and to make a difference in the lives of others.  One that is special to me is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I have served as a Co-President of FCA for the past two years.  I have helped with fundraising by selling donuts from a local bakery and selling t-shirts.  I have led and/or spoken at events such as Courts of Faith, Fields of Faith, and See You at the Pole.  It has given me an avenue to spread the Gospel with other students. This is the most important aspect of everything I do in my life.

VYPE: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?

Baseball has taught me how to work hard for my goals and the sacrifice it takes to improve in order to be successful. It has taught me how to improve from failure and that failure is vital for success. It has taught me how to work together as a team and that friendships and culture are important. It has taught me that I have to be consistent every day in order to achieve my goals. Baseball has taught me that results or success on the field are built through consistently working hard when no one is around or watching.

VYPE: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?

The best advice anyone has ever given me is my parents teaching me that a relationship with Jesus Christ is way more valuable than anything else in life, because without Christ I am nothing.

VYPE: Who inspires you and why?

My parents inspire me by their commitment to helping me reach my goals. They also set a great example for me.

VYPE: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.

I want to thank God for who I am today. I want to thank my family for always supporting me. I want to thank all the baseball coaches at Elk City and every other team I have ever been a part of for their dedication to the teams. I also want to thank the Elk City Schools faculty and administration and Elk City Baseball Booster Club for supporting our team.