Oswego East Co-Student Athlete of the Week

Junior Kiersten Rasberry is part of a young group of women who are helping to blaze a trail. Since the opening of Oswego East High School, there has only been a boy’s golf team. Kiersten is part of a small group of young women who took on the challenge of competing for the boys team, and because of growing interest and the trail laid by these young women, Oswego East is proud that the 2015 season is the first time girl’s golf is offered. Kiersten’s ability to forge a path where there was none, as well as her commitment to excellence on and off the field, is why she is this week’s Oswego East Co-Student Athlete of the Week.

Kiersten has been playing golf for six years, and loves the challenge of trying to improve on a daily basis. Along with a handful of other girls, playing on the boys’ team last fall provided a challenge Kiersten was happily ready to meet. Thanks to their initiative, this fall 14 girls in all compete for the Lady Wolves golf team. Kiersten’s parents, Bridgette and Leo Rasberry, know just how focused and competitive Kiersten can be in all facets of her life. “[Kiersten] doesn’t settle for mediocrity and strives for the best at whatever she puts her mind to,” says Mr. and Mrs. Rasberry. Kiersten is currently the 7th ranked golfer on the Lady Wolves, and provides a great deal of experience and leadership with which to help her team.

Coach Brian Chandler is in his first year as head coach and has seen how Kiersten’s leadership is able to help guide the other girls who are new to the program. “[Kiersten] is familiar with tournament style and competition expectations to help some of the younger, new to the game golfers.” Kiersten’s own ability has seen her strengthen her game and improve with each passing week. “Course management and the cerebral part of the game are Kiersten’s strengths,” says Chandler. He continues by adding, “[Kiersten] is very smart and always thinks about the best shot to put her in good shape later in the hole.”

Kiersten’s cerebral mind and intelligence help place her among the top of her peers off the golf course as well. Kiersten currently carries a 4.57 G.P.A., which is good enough to place her 6 out of 622 students in the junior class. As a member of numerous clubs and organizations, Kiersten continues to surpass expectations, despite having consistent demands on her time. A strong work ethic is something she has worked on since her freshmen year; something her parents have noticed since she started high school. “Since starting at OE, Kiersten has continued to develop a strong disciplined work ethic. This has allowed her to push and press through the challenges she faces while trying to balance the demands of school, extracurricular community activities, athletics, home and church,” says Mr. and Mrs. Rasberry.

A strong student in the discipline of Science, Kiersten anticipates a future in the neurological sciences/pre-med field. Her advanced placement Biology teacher, Jennifer Mihm, has nothing but high praise for Kiersten. “[She] is very focused, hard-working, and determined. I have no doubt that [she] will be successful in this field, with her caring personality and a strong work ethic that will make her a stand-out candidate for a program that is so rigorous.”

One would imagine a young person with so many demands on their time would often carry themselves in a very serious tone most times, but Kiersten goes against this idea with a bright personality and a zealous attitude in everything she approaches. She also encourages future Wolves to branch out, saying, “Try to join as many clubs and activities as possible, which is the best way to meet people.” Kiersten, as well as the other young ladies, have chosen to blaze a trail so that future Oswego East girls can have a chance to compete against their peers on the girls’ golf team, and everyone at Oswego East is looking forward to Kiersten’s future, as she continues to leave her mark here at East.