While sports at Duncan Middle School are typically focused on seventh and eight-grade athletics, several sports at DMS allow sixth-graders to take part.
Of the sports currently underway at DMS, sixth-graders are able to participate in wrestling. However, that is not the only sport available to them.
Palmer Reed and Tatum Green, both sixth-graders, played on the DMS softball team.
“To be successful in a sport you have to work hard and put effort in because if you don’t have these qualities you won’t make the team, and you’re less likely to get played.” Reed said. “ The hardest part of my sport is either the mindset or hitting, fielding and having the right mechanics.”
Reed has played softball since she was 3 years old. Although she was already on the softball team at the middle school this year, she also plans to play on the team in seventh grade, too.
In addition to playing softball, Reed competes in barrel racing.
She said she likes being in athlete and that it feels good to be an athlete.
Reed thinks the mindset needed to be an athlete is confidence, being yourself and working hard. She started doing sports because she doesn’t want to sit on the couch; she wants to be productive instead. Reed’s motivation is her family and her determination to be a good hitter.
Green, who also plays softball, agrees with Reed on what mindset needed to be an athlete.
Green has played softball for 6 years.
“My motivation is my dad,” Green said. “You have to have a positive mindset to be an athlete. To be successful in a sport, you have to keep practicing.”
Both Green and Reed said they work hard and have dedication to their sports, like all athletes should.
Like Reed, Green plans to play softball again in seventh grade.
