By Derrick Smith
For those that are believers, their faith is something that helps them through tough times and can be a comfort in times of need. Avery Sampson says that her faith has helped her a lot.
“My faith has helped me as an athlete and as a student,” she said. “Even though I am a perfectionist and tend to stress myself out easily, I always know that no matter what happens, God is in control and He has a plan for me. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes group has been a positive impact on me. It’s really nice to have like-minded people around you to hold you accountable in your relationship with God and help you grow in your faith.”
Sampson is a junior at Enid High School where she is a member of the volleyball and track teams. On the volleyball court, she plays outside, while she runs the 4×100, 4×200, and 4×400 relays for the track team. She has participated in both sports since she was in the seventh grade.
Avery says that there have been many people that have been influences on her life. These people have helped her become the person she is today.
“My parents would have to be my biggest role models,” she said. “They are two of the most dedicated people I know and have taught me the meaning of hard work. Another person that has impacted me is my favorite teacher, Mr. Mulanex. He was my U.S. History teacher in eighth grade and track coach in seventh and eighth grades. He’s always been such a great motivator for me in all my endeavors, whether in sports, school, or life in general, and he’s always believed in me and pushed me to believe in myself.”
Becoming the athlete she is today is not something that just happened overnight. Instead, Sampson has put in a lot of work over the years.
“It has taken a lot of perseverance for me to be successful in my sports. I’ve never been a
person who was naturally talented. It’s required a lot of hard work to get where I am now. Along with that, I like to keep a mindset of growth, which helps me remember I can always be better and pushes me to work harder every practice.”
