By Derrick Smith

Athletes that compete usually all have one thing in common, they want to be the best that they can be in their sport. And that is not something that just happens overnight. Instead, they have to be willing to not just work, but also have to put in extra time whenever possible. Taillynn Burch knows how much work it takes in order to reach your goals. 

“It has taken a lot to be successful,” she said. “I have worked at the field for multiple hours and also after practice. If I feel like I need to be down there working and getting better, I go down there and work.”

Burch is a sophomore at Woodland High School. She plays fastpitch and slowpitch softball and also basketball. On the softball field, she plays centerfield, second base, or catcher, while on the basketball court, she plays on the wing. 

There have been people throughout her life that have been an influence on her, but Burch says that a fellow softball player is one that she looks up to the most.
“Cheyenne Factor would have to be my biggest role model,” she said. “She’s always wanted to play softball and that’s all she did when she was little. She’s just a great person so I look up to her. There is one play of hers that stands out to me. This one catch that she made was hit way up high to her and she thought that it was gone. But instead, she robbed it from going over the fence and that’s something I would love to be able to do  also she doesn’t see herself higher than anyone.”

As a student, Burch says that there is one teacher that she considers her favorite.
“My favorite teacher would have to be my English teacher,” she said. “She has pushed me to get better at English. She has also taught me to never give up on something that is easy.”

Outside of athletics, Brush is also a member of the Future Farmers of America Program.