By Kianna Head and Alexis Galarza December 16, 2022
Senior Sydnee Pettis is on the Varsity Basketball and Soccer teams. In the spring she also competes in Track. Pettis was chosen for athlete of the issue because of her hard work and dedication to all three of her sports. Even though Pettis values playing all of her sports, basketball is her favorite.
“I’ve been playing basketball since eighth grade but a memory that stands out to me is going to state for basketball my freshman year of high school,” said Pettis.
Pettis’s basketball skills continue to grow and improve after her taking a year off. Her coach Chelsea Cabatbat views her as an outstanding athlete and is excited to watch her grow and learn after her year off basketball.
“Sydnee is one of the most athletic girls I’ve ever coached,” Cabatbat said. “She is super fast, aggressive, and she can jump; to describe her in one word, it would have to be athletic.”
Through all of her athletic success, Pettis stays committed to her sport and always shows up for her team.
“She works extremely hard, she is still learning but she is always eager to learn and improve,” Cabatbat explained. “Sydnee is an amazing team player, she is always asking questions and bonding with her teammates.”
Cabatbat sees the growth and development of Pettis on a daily basis and puts a lot of trust in her.
“She is working hard and her shot is developing every day and she is playing a huge defensive role on our team,” said Cabatbat. “She is always tasked with guarding their best player.”
“A regret I have is not playing basketball my junior year where I could have worked on getting better,” said Pettis.
Pettis went to state last year for track and became a state champion for the 4×100.
“Sydnee is a great sprinter, she was a key member of our 4×100 state champion team,” said coach Byron Jeppsen. “She did a great job running the corner leg and always put our anchor runner in a great position to win the race.”
Pettis has given multiple years of her life to track to make sure she excels.
Pettis plans on participating in track again this year, and her coach Jeppsen is excited to see what this season has in store for Pettis.
“Sydnee will be one of the top sprinters again this year and can be among the top finishers in both the 100 and 200 meters in the 3A,” said Jeppsen.
Pettis plans on attending college when she graduates from Lowry High School but does not plan on doing any sports in college. However, her legacy will be left behind.
“Advice I’d give to anyone who is trying to commit to more than one sport is to stay on top of things and be very responsible in what you do,” said Pettis.
