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DEL.ICIO.USWestminster athlete learns several skills from sports
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mariah Deans, a senior co-captain of the Westminster basketball and golf teams, has no intention of playing sports in college. She will, though, advance to the next phase of her life armed with the considerable lasting impressions that come with being a high school athlete.
That is the wonder of prep sports. From the athletic prodigy to the less-than-athletic prodigy, there is so much that comes with being on a team at this level. Camaraderie. Competitiveness. Toughness. Leadership. Determination. Sportsmanship.
“For Mariah, she got out of sports what you are supposed to get out of sports,” said her mother, Terry Williams. “Sports have been a huge part of her development. Participating has let her know what she can do. It’s given her the courage to do other things. It’s been a real big confidence-builder.”
Deans is an honor student (3.6 GPA, 1710 on the SAT). She is the Westminster Student Government 12th-grade girls president and holds other leadership positions on campus. She also is actively involved in community-service work.
She is beloved by classmates and respected by coaches and administrators. And, as far as she is concerned, much of it goes back to being a student-athlete.
“It’s meant so much to me,” she said during lunch Thursday. “Playing sports helped me a lot with my people skills, being a part of a team. I’ve learned to trust people more. My teammates depend on me, and I depend on them.”
Coach Tray Malloy has depended on Deans for leadership and has received even more than he had expected.
“Mariah epitomizes what being a student-athlete is all about, the true sense of the ideal,” Malloy said. “In the last two years, her leadership has grown tenfold. She’s become a soft-spoken, but dynamic, leader. “For an educator or a coach, she’s what it looks like. What she’s gained in learning about herself, and the characteristics of who she is, flourished because she plays sports.”
This is not to say a high-school career devoid of athletics leaves a kid empty. Not at all. But there are many virtues to participating in sports that can help a youth grow.
“I wouldn’t be the same person I am if I had not played sports,” Deans said. “It’s helped me develop as a person much quicker, and I can take all I’ve learned with me to college.”
One of the many honors that signify Deans’ diligence is the Practice Player Award she won as a sophomore. Her sister, Julia, was a standout at Whitefield Academy, and while the game did not come as easily to her, she poured herself into it to get better.
“She’s finally beginning to believe she can play,” her mom said. “She was in the shadow of her sister, Julia, who was great. Now she believes she can play, and she just goes at it.”
Golf is an individual sport, but, in that, Deans’ drive to push herself to achieve has been fortified. “It’s on me with golf. You have to have the drive to do it yourself,” she said.
Deans sees herself at Vanderbilt or Spelman studying pre-dentistry or biology next year. “No sports,” she said, “but I’ll be carrying everything I learned playing sports with me.”
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Comments
By Shirley Simmons
February 2, 2007 09:31 AM | Link to this
This is an excellent example of a young lady who is well-rounded. Hopefully, this will show other young people the advantages of sports outside of pursuing professional sports as a career. This is especially important because there are so few opportunities for professional athletes. Thank you for spotlighting Mariah and let’s hope that your article will be a positive inspiration to others.
By julia deans
February 7, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
I appreciate this article not only because my sister is the primary focus, but it allows people to understand that being a student-athlete is beneficial in a myriad of ways. She, along with other successful student-athletes, deserve as much recognition as they can handle. Great read !
By Linda Moffat
February 12, 2007 05:10 PM | Link to this
Wow - how refreshing to read about an intelligent young lady who obviously knows what’s important! It’s great that Mariah has excelled in sports but it’s even more significant that she has her priorities in order and is looking to excell as a member of society. She is truly a wonderful example and role model for our youth. Kudos to her parents and extended members of her family for their love and support. Thanks for writing this article.