Kate Wernli invests a lot of time and effort to be the best basketball player that she can be. She says that there are times when she may not feel like putting in the necessary work but she has a few things that help keep her motivated.

“My primary motivation comes from God,” she said. “I hope to use all the gifts and blessings he’s given me to serve him and others. Other motivators are definitely the desire to win, achieve whatever goals I have set and to make my family, friends and coaches proud.”

Wernli is a sophomore at Bixby High School. Along with basketball, she is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and also her church’s youth group.

Many athletes have people that they look up to and help shape them into the person that they are and will become. Kate has a few of those in her life and she is thankful for each of them.

“My biggest role model is my sister,” she said. “She has more work ethic and determination than anyone I know. My biggest influence is my mom because she has gone through everything I am going through and thrived through all of it in life and basketball. Also, Mrs. Phenicie is a great teacher who makes learning fun. More than that, she came to class everyday full of joy and ready to give. That showed me the power of a positive attitude.”

Throughout her career, Kate has enjoyed making memories with her teammates on and off the court but she has a couple that stand out as her favorites.

“The first was my entire freshman year getting to play with my senior sister and teammates,” she said. “The second came last summer when I received the first of my college offers to play basketball.”

Rylie Littlejohn is the head coach of the Bixby girls basketball team. She says that Kate is an outstanding athlete and will be a contributor to the team.

“Kate is an upcoming sophomore receiving multiple D1 offers,” Littlejohn said. “She is a knock down shooter with the ability to use her size to finish at the rim well.”

As a Spartan, Wernli knows that anytime she wears her school’s colors, she is a reflection of her school and community, which she does not take lightly.

“It’s an honor to represent Bixby,” she said. “So many in my school and community have poured into me over the years. I hope to always represent each of them well by always giving my best effort, serving others, having a positive attitude, and being a good role model to the younger kids who follow me.”