State Bank Financial Senior Spotlight

Siblings: Samantha, Gracie, Emma and Katie Ridgway

Position or events: Forward

Career highlight: All the memories with my teammates

At what age did you start playing your main sport? 

Fourth grade.

Who introduced you to the sport? 

My parents.

Has this always been your favorite sport?

Yes.

How has balancing academics and athletics been different from freshman to senior year? 

Freshman year was a little easier because I was in less AP classes, but as the years went on I took more challenging courses. 

What is your favorite part of this sport? 

Getting to do what I love with my friends and teammates and have fun doing it.

What has kept you in the sport this long? 

Staying healthy and trying to show determination through how I play and inspire those who may not think they have any useful skills for their team so they learn to find the best in themselves.

What is your biggest asset as an athlete? 

My effort and hustle to keep fighting with the same energy and enthusiasm the entire way through. My passion has always been a profound influence for my teammates and coaches.

How does it feel to look back on your growth as a senior? 

I feel as though there was so much more I could have put on to the court given more time, but I know my minutes only made the team better and I couldn’t be happier about how it went.

Any coaches or teammates you want to recognize? 

Coach LeMoine for always giving me the hard truth and advice to keep me at my best gameplay. I also want to thank all my teammates, but especially Rhyan Costa, Kennedy Kolstad and Oriah Harris, for always having my back and being there to support me when I needed them most. I couldn’t have asked for a better team.

Hobbies outside of sports: 

Working out, running, boating, tennis, reading and baking.

Favorite song: 

“All My Love” by Noah Kahan.

Future plans: 

I plan to go to Winona State University to obtain my bachelors in science in nursing and work my way up to becoming a certified nurse midwife.