Lowry legacy: Billingsley and Doyle continue Buckaroo tradition

Lowry legacy: Billingsley and Doyle continue Buckaroo tradition

By Desiree Cardenas Posted April 20, 2011

Many people have a certain person that they look up to and greatly admire. For most people, that person is a certain family member. They may view what a parent does and mirror their actions. If the parents were really into sports then the child will most likely follow suit. The same goes for if the family has a long line of over-achievers in academics and sports.

Michael Billingsley is a sophomore this year at Lowry high. His father is Mr. Billingsley; he attended Lowry in the late ’70s and was considered quite the stud. He played football all four of his high school years, and won two state title championships in wrestling. This year Michael made the varsity football team and was coached by his father. Some people would expect that a parent might be easier on their own child.

“No, he treats me the same, if anything he pushes me harder,” Michael said.

Michael Billingsley (top) controls his opponent. /Courtesy • Winnada
Michael Billingsley (top) controls his opponent. /Courtesy • Winnada

Personally, Michael wouldn’t choose to participate in a year-round sport. He likes the variety he gets from football, wrestling, and track.

“If I had a choice I wouldn’t choose a year-round sport because I get tired of them,” said Michael.

However, if he had to choose, it would probably be wrestling because he’s a little better at it. Tim Billingsley won two state titles. Michael has already won two, and he has two more years to beat his dad’s record. With the football and wrestling trophies, Michael has stayed pretty humble. He’s not totally convinced that he can follow his dad’s steps completely.

“I’m not sure. Probably not because I heard he was a pretty big stud,” said Michael.

Trying to live up to the physical end of the spectrum can be pretty tiring on the body, which is why Michael wouldn’t do a single year-round sport. Now, trying to live up to the physical and intellectual end may be a little tougher. Sean Doyle was student body president and the valedictorian. He was also the quarterback of the football team, played basketball, ran track, played baseball, and tried his hand at golf.

That sounds like a pretty tall order that his daughter, junior Kayla Doyle, needs to live up to, and she feels the pressure.

Sean Doyle during his playing days at Lowry. /Courtesy • Winnada
Sean Doyle during his playing days at Lowry. /Courtesy • Winnada

“Yes because my dad was a student body president and valedictorian. So were my aunt and my uncle, and I feel like I have to do that, but I’m not. Also, he was really good at sports,” said Kayla.

Kayla tries to split her time equally among the varsity volleyball courts and varsity softball fields. Her parents are both very supportive of her activities; they encourage her to do her best in whatever it is that she chooses.

“He does both, but he wants me to focus on scholastics because school always seems to come first,” said Kayla .”All around he wants me to the best I can.”

Mrs. Michelle Doyle wants her daughter to attend a four-year university. Kayla also wants the same thing. They both realize that hoping sports will take you there is a high hope.

“Maybe softball but I want to get into a higher sports division school,” said Kayla.

Everyone feels the pressure to live up to their parents. They are the ones that we have to live with for 18 years. We watch by example, admire, and strive to achieve what they had in high school. For some, it’s more of a competition with the Billingsley’s to have the most state titles. And for the Doyle’s the pressure can come from a long line of valedictorians and sports addicts.

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