Two for One! Jackson interviews Watkins and King

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: March 4, 2024

Editor’s Note : Tara Jackson recently had the chance to interview Bald Eagle Area Senior Student Athletes Alyssa King and Cam Watkins. Good luck in your upcoming softball and baseball seasons.

HS: How long have you played the current sports you are in?

AK:I have been playing softball since I was 5 years old so I’ve been playing for 13 years.

CW:I’ve been playing football for 6 years, basketball for 8 years, and baseball for 12 years.

HS: What is one piece of advice you’d like to offer younger athletes?

AK:One piece of advice I would like to offer younger athletes would be to work hard at what you are doing and put in your best effort no matter what because you don’t want to look back and think that you could’ve done more.

CW:One piece of advice I would give younger athletes is to enjoy the small things because they’ll go quick and to always give your best no matter any failure that happens.

HS: Who is someone you look up to?

AK: Someone I look up to is definitely my sister because she is the reason I do most of the things I do. Some examples are she’s the reason I play softball and go to CPI for dental assisting. I also look up to her because she pushes me to be the best I can be and she is everything that I aspire to be.

CW:Someone I look up to is my mom because of all the things she has done for me. Always trying to make me better and supporting me no matter what, whether I lose or win. She’s always happy and full of joy and I love her so much for that.

HS: What are your goals for the current sports you play in?

AK:My goals for this season is to improve on my mental toughness and develop my ability to stay focused and composed under pressure, focus on specific skills that I need to enhance my overall performance, and most importantly remember to have fun and be a good teammate.

CW: My goal for my sports this year was in football first off was to win Districts and we won districts and had a great season. For basketball I wanted to make playoffs and we did and finally for baseball I’m hoping we can have another state run.

HS: What strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?

AK:The strengths I believe I have that make me a great athlete are being able to be given feedback and willing to learn and improve, having a strong work ethic to push myself, and my competitiveness that drives me to do my best.

CW:Strengths that I think make me a good athlete is my ability to be coachable and learn from my mistakes I made previously and the ability to focus whenever I’m needed most for my team.

HS: What are your plans after high school?

AK:My plans after high school are to go to college at Pennsylvania College of Technology and join their dental hygiene program.

CW:My plans after high school is to attend Virginia Military College to play football and to major in Biology and minor in Exercise Science for Kinesiology.

HS: Is there a coach or teammate who has gone above and beyond and pushed you more than anyone?

AK: A coach that has pushed me more than anyone would have to be Rich Rogers. He is absolutely the person I would say has pushed me past my limits and has been a huge influence in my development as an athlete. Also his belief in my potential has made all the difference in growth. I am truly grateful for the tough love because it absolutely made me the athlete I am today.

CW: I would have to say I’ve had 2 coaches push me far above and gone above to get the absolute best out of me. First is Coach Nagle who has done so much for me in my football career and I don’t think I would be at this point without him or have the opportunity I have without all his help he’s given me and his dedication to make me better. The second coach is Coach Glunt we’ve had our ups and downs over the years with the basketball season but no matter what he pushed me for excellence and for me to strive into trying to turn our basketball program around, and overall he’s a great coach who will do anything he can for an individual to reach their potential.