By Derrick Smith

High school student-athletes work hard to achieve success. Not just on the field or court, but also in the classroom. Kinzie Williams of Bristow says you will only receive what you are willing to put into it.
“I have learned that in order to be successful in sports, you have to put in extra work,” she said. “You can’t just go to team practices, you have to work on your own time as well. The same is true for being a successful student. You must pay attention in class and do the work that is given to you.”

And Williams should know about being a success at both because she has the awards and honors to show for it. She is a two-time district offensive player of the year in softball, along with a first-team outfielder. She was also an All-American in cheerleading. In the classroom, she carries a 4.0 GPA and is on the superintendent’s Honor Roll and the Native American Honor Roll. After she graduates, she plans to attend college for softball and study sports medicine or pediatrics. 

A junior, Williams is a member of the Bristow softball, cheer, and track teams. She works hard to get better, but she says that there is one person that she always watches and tries to get better than-herself.
“I always want to be better than I was the previous year,” she said. “That motivates me to push myself harder every practice, every race, and every season. I also have someone that I look up to as a role model and that is coach Hilburn. He is not just an influence in sports, but also in life. This past year our team found out he had cancer.  I was heartbroken that one of my favorite coaches might not be on the track with us. Despite everything he has gone through, coach Hilburn is back, pushing us to be better than ever. I am very thankful to have a coach that truly cares about me and would do anything for his athletes.”

Kinzie is also a member of Leadership, the National Honor Society, JOM, and she tutors elementary kids.