There are ups and downs that come along with being an athlete. Sometimes things are going great, you are hitting on all cylinders, and everything is clicking. But there are also times when you get in a rut, are not able to compete at the level you want, or there may even be an injury to deal with. Emily Phillips says that the best thing you can do is to continue working. 

“No matter what happens, keep showing up,” she said. “There was a point where I wanted to quit everything because I felt like I wasn’t getting any better. But I told myself to keep showing up and put in the work. There are a few things that help keep me motivated. They are my family, coaches, and people that tell me I can’t do it.”

Phillips is a senior at Gans High School where she plays fastpitch and slowpitch softball, basketball, and track. She says that there is another group that keeps her working hard and is always there for her. 

“I love my teammates,” she said. “We all push each other to continue to get better and grow. I could not ask for a better group of teammates.”

As an athlete, there are several people that Emily looks up to and that have had an influence on the person and athlete that she has become.

“I have a few different role models for my life,” she stated. “Jocelyn Alo and Mackenzie Donihoo are who I strive to be as a woman softball player. Also, Taylor Robertson does everything with ease as a starting point. She’s who I look up to as a point guard. Finally, I really enjoy following Sadie Robertson on social media. She posts constant Godly reminders that sometimes I just need to hear. I love listening to her sermons and devotions when I open her page.

Along with playing sports, Phillips is also a member of the Future Farmers of America organization, Youth Coalition, and the Gifted and Talented program.