By Derrick Smith

High school student-athletes, like Jake Mitchell, have to put in a lot of work in order to be the best that they can be. But there are also other things that go into it that some people may not realize. 

“It has taken a lot of time and practice in order for me to be the athlete that I am,” he said. “I have spent a lot of time working on getting better instead of relaxing or goofing off. There are a lot of sacrifices required in order to get better.”

Jake is a senior at Pawnee High School, where he plays three sports for the Black Bears. He plays quarterback and safety on the football team, forward on the basketball court, and on the baseball field, he plays shortstop. 

Mitchell says that he has a couple of professional athletes that he looks up to. 

“A couple of my biggest role models are Michael Jordan and Fernando Tatis Jr.,” he said. “I look up to Jordan for his competitive nature, his will to win, and the passion he plays with. I try to play sports competitively and with lots of passion, and I always turn to Michael Jordan on how I can inspire my team to win by being competitive and passionate. I admire Tatis because of his self-confidence and the way he carries himself. He naturally has lots of self-confidence, and he carries that onto the baseball field. I try to play all sports with confidence too.”

Mitchell has had some memorable moments in each of his sports, but he says that there is one moment that stands out as his favorite.

“The highlight moment of my career was signing my National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Rogers State University because all my goals and dreams were achieved at that moment.”

Away from sports, Jake is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Beta Club. He also serves as the senior class reporter. He says that he enjoys life and the person that he has become.

“I love taking opportunities when they come my way,” he said. “I’m very proud of who I am, and how sports and the people around me have made me who I am today.”