Gracie Clark is a serious athlete. She dedicates her days to being the best player she can possibly be on the court. She dedicates her nights to testing herself against players from around the region who have the same drive and commitment as she does. Gracie Clark is a serious athlete - except when she’s not.
“Basketball is my main sport. It has taught me so much,” she explained. “It has taught me everything as far as my work ethic, my discipline. It has helped me grow as a person off the court.”
With basketball as her “main sport,” it’s no surprise that Clark has already made a verbal commitment to accept an offer to continue playing in college. Before her senior season has even tipped off, the White County High School senior announced her decision to play collegiate ball at the University of the Cumberlands, in Kentucky.
“The dream has always been to play at the next level. That’s why all the work, all the time dedicated to bettering myself,” Clark said. “Of course, basketball isn’t the end. It’s how I’m paying for college. I would like to study to become a pharmacist.”
Michael Dodgen, the Warriorette basketball coach, isn’t surprised at all that Clark has reached her goal.
“Gracie is a great student athlete on and off the floor who exemplifies that every day,” he said. “I’m proud of all her accomplishments and look forward to even more this year.”
No one doubts she will have the discipline needed to complete a difficult program of study at the same time as playing basketball at the collegiate level. But Clark said life shouldn’t always be serious - even in sports - which is why she is a multi-sport athlete.
“Volleyball is my fun sport,” she explained, saying she has spent her autumns on a different type of court for the past seven years. “It helps me take a break, get my mind off of basketball sometimes. Just relax and play for fun instead of under so much pressure.”
Of course, she said the extra workouts help with keeping up her conditioning for the basketball season. She also said that footwork, agility, and reactiveness of the sport help her stay physically focused as well.
“You can have fun playing a sport; it doesn’t always have to be so serious,” Clark talked about the lessons her ‘fun’ sport has taught her. “Your high school experience should be fun. Volleyball has definitely let me loosen up a little bit.”
Despite her claim to not take the sport so seriously, Clark’s volleyball coaches say they see the competitor come out in her every time she steps on the court.
“Gracie brings so much to the team. She’s a competitor that pushes herself and her teammates to be their best. Despite missing half the season with an injury, she is still one of our leaders for both blocks and kills!” Warriorette volleyball coach Brittany King said. “The front row won’t be the same without her next season!”
Clark knows it won’t be long before she takes off the maroon and gray she has worn for seven years and trades it for the red and blue she will wear for the next four. She also knows that is going to be a bittersweet moment.
“I have worked so long and so hard for this. I am excited for the future, but I am going to miss these teammates, these girls I’ve grown up with,” she said, quickly adding that she will miss the coaches that helped shape her as well. “It’s been fun. I’m really going to miss my people.”
Clark will meet new people. She will make new memories with new teammates. She will continue to work hard. She will continue to let basketball lead her and teach her and provide for her future. But she will also take the lessons from volleyball with her when she goes: she will remember to relax, have fun, and let the ball fall where it falls sometimes, knowing that a reset is always just one bounce away.
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