By Derrick Smith

Athletes have people that they look up to and help them shape what kind of athlete and person they want to become. In a lot of cases, these role models are fellow athletes. McKenna Osborn says that the person that she looks up to is a solid athlete and person. 

“Paige Bueckers is a huge influence on my life,” she said. “She plays basketball for the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. She has been a stud since she was young and in high school and she always gives God the glory.”

Osborn is a junior at Bartlesville high school, where she plays shooting guard for the Lady Bruins basketball team. She loves the game of basketball and first started playing competitively when she was in middle school. 

There is another person that has an impact on McKenna. This person did not impact her athletically, but more in just life in general. 

“My seventh grade English teacher has been my favorite teacher,” she said. “I learned how to have fun in life while still working hard. That is something that I can carry with me after school is over.”

Getting to where she is as an athlete has not been easy. Osborn says that doing the extra work is what makes the difference. 

“It has taken a lot of hard work to be successful in basketball,” she said. “Coaches say this often but it’s so true, you will not get better just by going to team practices for two to three hours every five days. You need to put work in for yourself in your own time to really grow.”

Competing with and playing alongside her teammates is something that McKenna enjoys. In fact, she says that her favorite moment as an athlete involves exactly that.
“The highlight of my career has been competing in a tournament camp with my team this past summer and going undefeated some days.”

Along with playing sports, Osborn is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The group meets every Friday at 7:00 AM to learn about Jesus and sports.