On most days at Grove High School, sophomore guard and soccer player Anaiyah Darnell is easy to spot: She is the one talking, laughing and lifting the Lady Ridgerunners’ energy level the moment she steps on the court or the field.
Being a multisport varsity athlete has taught Darnell that success depends on the people beside her as much as the points she scores. “Being in different sports throughout these two years the thing I love most about my teammates is that they will be there to cheer you up when you’re down,” Darnell said. “Also help you figure out plays when you can’t pick them up quick enough.”
This season in basketball, Darnell spent time running the offense, getting a taste of the pressure that comes with the ball in her hands. “This year I played point guard a bit in varsity and a ton in JV,” she said. “Something I found tough was calming down and finding the open person when being under pressure.” Still, she calls every varsity tipoff a highlight. “My favorite moment this season is every varsity game when I get to be hype for my teammates.”
Darnell credits older players for shaping the way she competes. “Allie Hasselman inspires me the most because she is so good in everything she does and always has an amazing attitude when doing it,” Darnell said. “Another player that has inspired me a lot this year is Rowan Geer. To come back from an injury and still be able to play so hard is an amazing thing to do.”
Representing Grove means more than wearing school colors. “What makes representing Grove special for me is that I know I will try my best in my sports to put a good look on our school,” she said. The lessons carry beyond varsity gyms and soccer pitches. “Athletics has taught me that things don’t come easy in life so if there is something you want you have to work hard for it.”
Away from competition, Darnell leans into the same upbeat personality her teammates see. “The teammate I found very vocal and that kept me laughing is honestly myself,” she said. “But also Sophie Green has me cracking up sometimes.” When she is not playing basketball, soccer or running track, she is just as happy organizing her room, spending time with friends and family or logging on to Roblox.
