Young people can have a number of people that they look up to as role models for their life. Athletes are no different, as they usually look up to other athletes to help them become better at their sport. Rory Hansen is a multisport athlete at Sperry High School and says that there are a few people that she admires and have helped her become the player and person she is today.

“Carli Loyd who plays for the United States Women’s National soccer team influences me by her work ethic and her determiniation to be better in her sport,” she said. “She recently had a knee injury, which I can relate to, but it didn’t stop her. She didn’t quit, she knew she could come back and she did just that even better and stronger. My role model would be my mom because she is always trying to do better and be there for people even when she has things going on in her life. I can always count on her any day to stop what she is doing and help me.”

A junior at Sperry, Hansen plays volleyball and basketball and runs track. In just her second year as a student at Sperry, Rory has already had a teacher and coach that has made a big impact on her life.

“Even though I’ve only been at Sperry for a year, coach John King has probably made the biggest impact on me,” Hansen stated. “When I first met him I could tell he loved everyone of his students and his athletes. He treats everyone the same no matter what. I love being in the classroom because he makes it so interesting and fun for us to learn. He includes everyone when it comes to nicknames, how their day is going, and just little conversations we have in class. I didn’t think I could have a teacher make that type of impact on me so quickly but he did for sure.”

Being successful is every athletes goal and Hansen knows what that takes.

“It takes determination, dedication, and desire,” she said. “I learned this saying from one of my club track coach Matthias Wicks when I was little and it has stuck with me ever since and made me more successful in my sports.”