Hot summer days, early morning workouts, and late-night practices. Multi-sport athlete, Mo Purdy has competed in East High sports all four years of her high school career and this is not the end of her athletic journey, it is the beginning. Purdy has signed to play for the DMACC Bears softball team for her first two years of college as she studies psychology. During her high school career, Purdy has played softball, participated in track and field, competed in cheerleading, and briefly played basketball.

“In softball, I am a utility player, meaning I have learned how to play every position and can do so in games. I throw shotput in track and have recently learned how to throw discus. I didn’t play basketball very long for personal reasons but when I did play, I was a post player. Cheer was so fun to be a part of. I was a back during stunts,” Purdy said.

How could or would someone play in so many sports while trying to balance athletics with their academic life? With long practices, how could she have any time to study?

“Softball has always been my biggest motivation to do my best in everything. I decided to join track my sophomore year, so I have something to keep me moving and in shape for softball. Once I realized I was good at shotput, I stuck with it and set goals for myself, so I felt motivated to do good. I joined basketball because I felt I had the height and athleticism to do good. Lastly, I joined the cheer team because a lot of my friends were on it and I was already at every school event, so it just felt right to join the team,” Purdy said

Thanks to her village, Purdy has been able to achieve so much.

“My biggest obstacle with doing sports in high school, I would say were my grades. My freshman through junior year I really struggled with academic motivation. I had a lot of mental health issues, and I really didn’t care to be at school. I would say the East High School
staff, my doctors and my mom are the reasons I was able to overcome those obstacles. Specifically, Mrs. Versteeg and JR Randall, our Activities Director. They both really made me feel normal about how I felt and helped me create small goals to help me get back on track,” Purdy said.

Whether on the field or in the throwing ring, Purdy felt as though she was exactly where she was meant to be.

“Being on the field and in the throwing ring feel normal to me like I should be there. I have met so many lifelong friendships in all my sports and I am beyond thankful for everyone who has ever supported me. My teammates and coaches are a big reason on why I love my teams I’m on,” Purdy said.

It is often believed that one of the strongest relationships that are made in high school are the ones you find in your team. Not only did Mrs. Versteeg and Randall support Purdy in school and in her extracurriculars but her team and her coaches were also there to rally with her and motivate her to do her best.

“I have never had a coach that has not put their all into me and my progress and I can’t thank
them enough. My softball family is the biggest one I have, and it means the world to me,” Purdy said.

Last words to East: “Just believe in your talent on and of the playing field. My biggest struggle as a student athlete was confidence in the classroom and it took a lot of time to get back on track. You can’t succeed in sports if you can’t succeed in the classroom. So, trust yourself and just show up. I promise it doesn’t seem worth it then but it’s going to be the best decision you make.” – Mo Purdy