Due to the current coronavirus situation and all sports being shut down, there are a lot of athletes who have had their senior seasons cut short. ENC Sports Review thought it would be nice to highlight some of these seniors as a small way to celebrate their senior year, since so much has been taken from them already. Today, we will highlight Rocky Mount Academy Gabbi Stewart. We thank Gabbi for taking the time to sit down with ENC Sports Review and answer these questions for us. We had fun learning more about her and we hope you will too!
How long have you been playing sports?
My dad had both my brother and I playing sports ever since we were just able to walk. I mainly began with programs like Upward basketball and grew from there.
What teams have you been on? (This can be rec ball, middle school and high school.)
I was on a Upward team for a couple years, played Red Oak basketball for 2 years, JV and Varsity basketball at RMA, Southern Nash Babe Ruth team 1 year, JV and Varsity volleyball at RMA, I’ve guest played for a softball team before, and lastly I have played Varsity softball at RMA since the 7th grade.
Who has been your favorite coach? What did he or she teach you that you carry with you today?
I would have to say my dad has to have been my favorite coach. The main thing I have taken away from him is there is always something to fix and that I need to be open for teaching and instruction always. “Keep your eye on the ball.”
What is your favorite memory and least favorite memory of playing sports?
Favorite – Every softball memory with my best friend Katie. We were always there to have a good time and make everybody laugh. Least – Breaking my nose during our rival basketball game. (Even though I played the whole rest of the game like nothing had happened, it was quite painful.)
What is one thing that if you could do over again you would change?
The only thing that I wish I could go back and change was my senior season. I just wish I could have had one more time to stand on that field and play one last game.
Who is someone you look up to and why?
I truly look up to my dad. He has always been that person to push me to the level I am today. He never let me give up if I didn’t want to keep going. He made me keep on pushing to exceed in my athleticism to the best of my ability.
If you could go back 5 years and tell yourself something then that you know now, what would it be?
If I could go back 5 years and tell myself one thing, it would definitely have to be to push myself to unbelievable levels and work hard in every aspect of life. I would also tell myself to dream big, nothing is impossible.
What is something you would tell someone trying to follow in your footsteps?
Never give up. Where you are in life right now is just the beginning, keep working hard and never stop until you’re at the place you want to be.
If you have played your last high school game, what is something that you will remember for the rest of your life?
Sadly, I didn’t know that the game I played would be my last high school game. We ended on a great one, beating a team we always tend to rival towards and lost to last year.
Thank you again, Gabbi Stewart, for taking the time to be one of our 2020 senior spotlights. We wish you well on all of your future endeavors.
Attention 2020 Seniors: If you are interested in possibly being our next spotlight, please inbox us with a picture of you (head shot or action shot, or multiple pictures), your name, school, sports/positions played and answers to some or all of the questions above.
Note: All photographs have been contributed to this post from the senior’s family.
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