By: Hunter Ferguson
Wyandotte athlete Josilynn Wyrick interviewed with VYPE recently.
VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?
My team making it further than last year is my ultimate goal, we didn’t lose a single senior last year so we are returning everyone with the help of a move in. I would like to be stronger on my outside game that consists of being able to score more from the perimeter instead of me driving in or posting up on the inside. If I can open up my outside game it will only help me with my inside game. Defensively I want to be able to shut down whoever it is that Coach Posey puts me on whether she has me on a big girl or a fast outside guard she moved me around a lot last year but I’m stronger and faster this year, I’ve really tried to work on that stuff during the summer with my agility coach, Bryce Murphy. Overall I just hope to keep getting better as the season continues and I’m now a Jr so I hope to be a positive leader and influence now that I’m an upperclassman.
VYPE: What is the most fun you have had in the last year?
Making it to state this past year in softball definitely was a lot of fun. That’s always been our goal as a program was to make it to the state tournament, the past few years we were really close so to be able to punch our ticket was an amazing memory. It was a goal that I had set for myself since I was younger, it’s funny because my first State tournament experience was when I was about 5 months old to watch my Aunt Haley play(my moms sister who was coached by coach collins) then growing up my older cousin Kianna made it to the state tournament her Jr and Sr year(she was also coached by coach collins) and here recently I’ve been very fortunate to work with Jessie Walker (also coached by coach collins) on my pitching when my Papa hasn’t been able to and the one other time our program has made it to state was when I was an 8th grader, I got to go and experience everything with my mom being a coach and seeing all the fun they had and memories made together made me strive for it even more. Getting to experience it with my mom who has been by my side since day 1 coaching me was a memory I’ll never forget. She actually has coached many of my teammates since we were in rec league and her and coach Collins actually coached a travel team together and many of my teammates played with me and under them so it was definitely a full circle moment for many of us. It was a big goal that I got to check off being in the atmosphere so many times but then finally getting to play in it myself for the people I grew up watching there.
VYPE: Who is your favorite teacher from any grade, and why?
I’ve had some really amazing teachers, I’ve been very fortunate with my elementary teachers and even high school and middle school. That being said I’ve had a few that are very influential, Mrs. Baldridge, Ms. Fritchey, and Mrs Baldwin were a few of my favorites in elementary school. They still work at the school too so it’s great getting to still see them especially with them still working with my mom. Mrs Burns, a middle school teacher, was definitely there for me a lot during middle school. In high school I have been really fond of Mrs Hampton, Mrs. Hanna Young, Mr. Posey and Mr Royster. All of these teachers have played a major role in making me who I am today, they have been a major support system for me.
VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?
My favorite athletic memory was making it to state for softball with my mom. I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today without my mom. Getting to reach a big goal of mine with my mom has been my favorite memory by far.
VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
Our coaches for basketball are amazing! Coach Posey, and my mom are definitely amazing role models to us girls and they strive to make us the best basketball players and humans, I know they want us to be great on the court but also off of the court as well! Coach Collins would do anything for us girls and has done a great job so far even when he’s stuck with a bunch of girls.
VYPE: You can pick any place for a summer vacation. Where do you go, and who do you take with you?
If I could pick a place I would backpack Europe, I would take my mom, little brother and sister, and the rest of my moms side of my family.
VYPE: If we gave you $500 and you had to spend it in the next 24 hours, what would you spend it on?
I would spend it on OU football tickets for my family. As long as OU would win I would definitely spend it on another bedlam game!
VYPE: Do you participate in any community service projects?
I try to help out with our little league basketball program when I can, I also help out a local 10u travel softball team. I also tried to participate and help our NHS when we did a sock drive for an elderly home.
VYPE: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?
I am involved in a few clubs and academic excellence activities. I’m a member of our SMAC program which stands for students making a change but it’s also known as fellowship of christian athletes, I love this group and our sponsor Mrs. Robertson does an amazing job with us and helping us stay rooted in Christ but also while helping others and our community when we can that’s probably what I love most about it. I’m also a part of our STUCO program and we do a really great job of keeping up our school spirit and keeping up our atmosphere in our school. I really like being involved in this and helping our community when we can. I’m a member of Gifted and Talented. I really like this program because we do a lot of hands-on activities. I’m a part of the NHS, and we try to help out our community the best we can when we can. I’m also a part of the yearbook too!
