Athletes dedicate a lot of their time and energy to continually get better and improve their skills. They know that if they want to be successful that they have to be willing to do what is required. Drake Duncan says that you also have to have the right mentality.

“You have to work hard to be successful,” he said. “You also have to be coachable when the coaches are trying to help you.”

Duncan is a senior at Newkirk High School. He plays center on the basketball court, while on the baseball diamond, he spends time at first base and the pitching mound.

Throughout his life, there have been people that have been influential and helped Drake become the person that he is. He says that he is truly thankful for these people.

“The biggest role model in my life is my mom,” he stated. “She has taught me many important life lessons and she always encourages me. One of my teachers, Mrs. Mayse, has always been a good supporter of mine.”

Keeping focused on and off the field is also a key part of being a solid athlete. Duncan says that there is one thing that keeps him on track.

“The word value is what motivates me,” he said. “I want to be a valuable member of the team and do my part to help us win.”

When he and his teammates step out on the field, it normally does not matter who the opponent is, they just want to win. But Drake says that there is one team he enjoys going up against the most.

“Personally, I really enjoy beating Tonkawa whenever we play them.”

Out of all the the guys he competes alongside, Duncan says that there is one teammate that he likes to work with the most.

“I like Grady Wood because he has a lot of hustle and he is really competitive,” he stated.