Four-year Prairie High School Slowpitch Softball players Ady Berquist and Melyia Conn lead by example, on and off the field. They both put their academics first, but know how to have fun on the field and show and teach the younger players to have fun and play the game the right way.
“I’m trying to have as much fun as possible before the end of it,” Conn said of her senior season. “I’m definitely making the most of it.”
Conn and Berquist also know that part of being a senior athlete is using that leadership position to help and assist the younger players with their learning and growth in the sport.
“I’ve helped a couple girls with batting and just knowing where to go fielding-wise. We have a couple new girls that have never played before,” Berquist said. “I’ve just helped them learn what to do, and when to do it, and taught them the ways to help out with the team.”
“Definitely what Ady said, but also just showing a positive attitude and always being there and showing that you’re always having fun. Even though we lost, we still had fun and it was still a good moment to connect with each other,” Conn said after the Falcons loss to the R.A. Long Lumberjills on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
As for academics, they both take their classes seriously, and have a plan beyond graduation.
“So far I like chemistry, but I know it’ll get harder as it goes on but it’s not bad. Academics always come first, so I think that’s a big part of being a student athlete, you’re a student first,” Berquist said. “I’m going to go to Clark (College) for two years and WSU for two years for early education teaching.”
Conn will graduate high school this year with her associates degree.
“I’m a biology major for running start at Clark (College), it’s definitely my course field of study and definitely my favorite,” Conn said. “I’m hoping to go to a higher university to study psychology and then hopefully become a surgeon one day.”
The pair of senior leaders will also be on the Prairie Fastpitch Softball team this spring with mutual goals of leaving their mark for the younger players to follow, have fun, and make a run at a 3A Greater St. Helens League title and beyond.
