By PAYTON MEANS
Throughout an athlete’s high school career there are going to be those who are going to support you and those who are going to cheer against you and hope you make a mistake. But for Connor Whitworth there are two people who stand out above the rest.
The first person who motivates and supports him is his father. “My father is my biggest role model. He always pushes me to do my best.” Connor is a senior multi-sport sensation at Poteau High School.
Connor is a power forward on the basketball team and also is a member of the golf team. Whitworth has had many different coaches between the two sports during his career and that coach is Jarrett Lowimore. “Coach Lowimore has coached for three years in both golf and basketball and he has always encouraged me and helped me grow in my abilities.
Whitworth like most athletes today does find some motivation from those who do not believe in his performance. “What motivates me is people telling me I cannot shoot low in golf.”
Connor Whitworth is not much of a “one trick” pony around the halls of Poteau High School. Not only is he a part of the golf and basketball teams he also is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). He also takes a lot of pride in where he has grown up and the school and community that he represents. “I’ve always been a Poteau Pirate. It means a lot going into the upcoming tournaments this summer representing my school and community.”
Whiteworth had a very similar situation growing up where he and his sibling would compete against each other in any game or competition they could find but it instantly gave him his greatest rival. “My younger brother Garrison is the one opponent I love to beat the most.”
He has had a lot of highlights throughout his career but there is one that stands out above the rest in his mind. “The highlights of my golfing career have been winning a handful of tournaments in a year.” “One in particular was winning an Arkansas Junior Golf Association Tournament shooting under par both days.”