High school athletes invest a lot of time and effort in order to compete at their highest level. Along with trying to win competitions, Peyton Sinclair says that there is something else that goes along with it.

“I am proud to be able to represent my team and community when I am playing,” she said. “It means to hold to the team culture and be a positive influence to everyone around me.”

Sinclair is a senior at Stillwater High School, where she plays holding mid for the Lady Pioneer soccer team. Outside of sports, she is involved in Beta Club and the National Honor Society.

Becoming the athlete that she is today has not been an easy path, but Peyton says that she knows that she always has someone by her side helping her along the way.

“It has taken a lot of mental and physical battles to get where I am today,” she stated. “One way that I stay motivated is thinking about how our Lord and Savior died on the cross for us, so I try to live out all my days glorifying him.”

Throughout her life, Peyton has had a number of people that have had an influence on her and her life.

“I would say my biggest role model is my mom,” Sinclair said. “She shows me how to be strong within and give out unconditional love wherever I go. The most influential teacher I have encountered so far would be Joey Parker, he is my art teacher. He pushes me to be the best and stretches my abilities to do things I didn’t know I could even do.”

Tanner Rivera is the girls soccer coach for Stillwater and says that Peyton is a strong leader on the team and she works hard as well.

“Peyton is a senior and team captain,” Rivera said. “She is one of the hardest workers on the team. Her leadership and skills with the ball do not go unnoticed by the coaching staff. Peyton does the little things every day that have led to her becoming a great leader and player on the team.”