Fort Scott High School senior Annabelle Gorman has never been one to shy away from a challenge. Despite competing at state in cross country as a sophomore, Gorman decided to switch gears last year and take on a new challenge – tennis. She did so knowing full well that the Tigers’ league – the SEK (Southeast Kansas) and Kansas 4A, in general – is loaded with strong tennis players, “Last summer I started playing tennis, and I practiced almost every night during July and August. My dad helped coach me and helped me learn how to play. During the season I kept improving but wasn’t at a point where I could qualify for state. I’m looking forward to building on last year and hopefully qualifying for state.”
However individually motivated she may be, Annabelle’s focus, when answering questions, was almost entirely on her team, “We push each other and train to be the best players we can be. Our tennis team is really strong right now, and all our players are working so hard all the time. We have a chance to be really successful. Southeast Kansas has lots of strong tennis players. We’ll have to work really hard and play tough, but in the end, that’s what will help us improve the most.”
As for her own improvement, Gorman states, “I work a lot on perfecting the fundamentals. My dad helps coach me on the little things and how to be stronger and make smarter plays. Coach Barr has held several open court nights as well as a camp, so we can practice as a team on elements that Coach wants us to perfect.”
Gorman’s tennis and cross-country resume is impressive enough, but that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her list of accomplishments.
In dance, Gorman was selected as an All-American three times at dance camp. With the Tigers’ dance team, she and her teammates have qualified for finals and placed sixth at Game-day State the last two years. Annabelle is a pole vaulter for theTigers’ track team. She is co-secretary and co-social media manager for Student Council, Vice-President for National Honors Society, co-founder of Zero Reasons Why (a mental health organization), and is the FSHS Yearbook editor-in chief. She is also a member of the Tigers’ Key Club.
Annabelle is a 4.0 student and plans to attend Missouri State University to major in marketing. She also plans to audition for the MSU dance team.