By Derrick Smith

Most athletes will tell you that it takes more than just showing up on game day to be the best you can be. There is a lot of work that goes in during the season, as well as before the season starts. Arianna Coyner says that you have to always give your best in order to be the best. 

“It has taken lots of hours in the gym while it’s empty, shooting and working hard every day in practice,” she said. “The offseason is where you have to work the hardest for improvement for the next year and to get better. In cross country and track it takes lots of self-discipline to make yourself run hard every day and to work towards getting faster. You also have to eat healthy food and make sure you drink lots of water which is key to having good practices to get better. To be successful in a running sport you have to have the heart to want to win for your team whether it is in a relay or an individual event.”

Coyner is a senior at Perkins-Tryon High School. She is a member of the basketball, track, and cross country teams.There are a variety of athletes that have had an influence on her life over the years, but she says that one athlete has made the biggest impact.

“The biggest role model is my older sister, Ashley Rush, who played basketball at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls for four years,” Arianna said. “She was a big role model to me and showed that if you work hard enough you can accomplish anything. I strive to make her proud and take what she’s taught me not only on the court but in life too.”

Over her career, Coyner says that she has enjoyed some really great moments, but that there are a couple of moments that stand out among the rest. 

“The highlight moment of my career has been in cross country,” she said. “Making it to state two years in a row and our team continuously getting better after every race. I also was a state qualifier 2020 track and field in the 3200-meter relay.”