Kara Brooks is a committed and talented senior athlete at Watauga and a participant in Varsity Softball. Brooks has played softball all four of her high school years. She recently received offers from colleges for her participation and success in softball. Brooks’s passion for softball started before high school and her dedication to the sport shows both on and off the field. She has continued to pave her way forward in the world of softball
"One of my best friend’s mom got me into softball because my parents wouldn't let me play,” said Brooks. “Her mom actually passed away while we were in middle school and that's why I wanted to keep doing my career in softball and work really hard: because she's the one who convinced them to let me play.”
Brooks’s last season had impressive statistics, placing in the top of the team in batting average, runs, at-bats, and runs batted in. Drawing inspiration from her dad, Brooks strives to finish strong in her senior year and crush her previous statistics.
“My dad loves the game more than I do; he's obsessed with it. That really pushes me to keep playing because it's something we can do together,” said Brooks.
A large part of being an athlete is who you surround yourself with. Your team is like a family on and off the field. They make the game fun to play and encourage you to do your best. Being on a team creates an atmosphere of togetherness; you get to win and lose together, which leads to a long-lasting bond.
“You have to enjoy the game because, in softball, it's a lot. You have to be in the weight room working out. You have to be on the field working to be the best one for your position,” Brooks said. “Because, the way I see it, if I'm going to play, I want to be the best at everything I put my effort into. So really, just enjoy the game because you can't commit to it if you don't have fun playing and love the game. So you have to be committed to it.”
Being on a team opens the door for many different opportunities and recognition from colleges, sometimes in the form of scholarships.
“I ended up getting an offer from Pfeiffer and Lees McRae. I really like both of them,” said Brooks. “But I love Lees McCrae. I love the area, and I really like snow. They also just got a new coach, and I get along great with him. We're on the same page; we have a lot of the same interests.”
As of now, Brooks plans on going to Lees McRae for two years because she will be leaving Watauga with her associates degree. She also plans on getting her Master’s degree, so she will most likely end up playing all four years at Lees Mcrae or transferring and studying for two years somewhere else. Although Brooks is leaving Watauga, she is carrying memories from her time on the team forward.
“My favorite memory is actually just being with the team. It's not one certain moment, but being on the bus, in the locker rooms, or on the field. I'm not much of a talkative person or a people person, to be honest,” said Brooks. "But I really enjoy seeing how everybody gets along and how even if you're not a talking person, you can really be part of the team, and everybody just keeps you in the loop and it's super fun.”
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