It’s not often you meet somebody who plays seven sports.
“I am a senior. I run cross country, fast pitch, basketball, slow pitch, cheer, track and I also rodeo,” Sayre High School student Emily Easter said. “I am [busy] with a large support group! And, luckily, I’m never doing more than two sports at a time!”
She considers basketball her first love — It’s been her favorite sport since she can remember.
“My teammates, past and present, are my favorite part. They have all grown to be like sisters more than friends,” Easter said. “They never fail to make games and practices so much fun! I think it makes it easier to play with your teammates and when you have a team that plays really well together, it adds to the ability of the team. For us, a majority of the girls do all of these sports together and we’re together almost year-round building a bond. We do a lot of team-bonding stuff. We always have a team sleepover and do a lot of team dinners that end with us playing games.”
Both of Easter’s parents played sports. Her dad did baseball, some football and rodeos. Her mom played softball and basketball.
“I have been rodeoing since I was 14. It was kind of a late start, but I knew what I was doing because I have been riding and roping since I was able to,” Easter said. “It definitely takes a lot of commitment and being so active definitely makes it hard. I don’t get to practice as much as I would like to, but when I do, I give it 100% effort.”
After graduation, Easter is committed to high jump at East Central University. This spring, she is competing in the spring relay and long jump, too, and stars at third base for Sayre’s slow pitch team.
“My goals for track this year are to make it to state and to medal,” Easter said, “and for slow pitch to do the best I can for my team!”
Easter is a testament to how sports can enrich young lives.
“I have always loved sports, and it’s always brought an indescribable joy and happiness to me,” Easter said. “I would recommend it to the next generation for many different reasons. I would mostly recommend it just for all the experiences, friendships and memories.”
