SAVANNAH SENKEL-LATTA
Senior leadership is an important factor for Savannah Senkel from Latta as she goes into her final sport season for the Panthers.
“Coming into this year I realized it was my time to be the voice of the team especially since I play shortstop or third base,so I’ve been trying to be more vocal this year,” said Senkel who plays basketball and softball for Latta.
“I feel like I’ve always been kind of a team leader to some extent from my sophomore year on. I think a good leader is someone that is always encouraging but also knows how to stand strong and push people a little to be better and someone that you can rely on.”
Though she enjoys both sports, Savannah says she enjoys playing fast pitch softball the best.
“In fast pitch you just have to be ready to go all the time. I started playing softball when I was around two or three as an extra person on my cousin’s little league team and I fell in love with it. I got a little burned out on softball in junior high with travel ball and all but I embraced it again when I got to high school.”
Senkel says she has enjoyed following OU softball over the years and looked up to her siblings and cousins who were good athletes, such as her older sister Shaylee. Away from athletics, Savannah is active in student council, FCA, National Honor Society and FHA where she fulfills various roles now though she used to show cattle. As she goes into her final time around on the diamond, Senkel’s goals again come back to leadership and the team.
“I always want to be the positive leader and voice of the team and keep a level head. Personal stats aren’t really that important to me. We’ve been to the state tournament the last three years, reaching the semifinals twice so this year I want to see us take it all.”
Savannah will take her softball skills to USAO next year where she plans to study to be a speech pathologist.
