Chrisman Freshman Proves to be a Real Triple Threat
October 21, 2015
Story By: Olivia Jaynes
Many students wake up and get ready for a seven-hour school day and go through all of their classes, waiting for that last bell to ring that tells them that the school day is finally over.
That is not the case for freshman Lilly Conner-Urnise. When the final bell rings, she doesn’t get to leave.
She has cross country practice from 2:30-4:00 P.M. on most days. She gets home just in time to change and rush to cheerleading practice from 6-9 p.m. If she doesn’t have cheer, it doesn’t mean a break. Then she is marching on the football field at band practice from 6-9 p.m.
And, then there is trying to squeeze homework into that window of free time, to still be an A student.
Just last week, in a 24 hour-period, she cheered at the rivalry game pep rally, had cross country practice, supported the players from the sideline at the football game (played in the marching band at halftime), woke up at 7 a.m. for a Saturday cross country meet and then rushed to an all afternoon marching band competition.
Conner-Urnise is a member of the varsity girls cross country team, a member of the varsity cheerleading team, plans to play soccer in the Spring, and is also a member of the band. If able to join a boys' team, she might even try to wrestle in the winter.
Out of all three sports she participates in, the only one she that she has played before now is soccer. She has played soccer since around 5th
grade.
She first started running cross country in 8th grade at Bingham Middle School. It was just by chance that she continued in high school when she found out she could do multiple sports. She quickly made the varsity and become one of the top three runners.
“She is a tremendous person in general as a freshmen to take on so much is truly impressive. She is a special person and a special athlete, as a runner she has the chance to be very good and a key part of this team for the next four years,” said cross country coach Jason Stacy.
Conner-Urnise helped the Lady Bears win their first City Champs title since 1989 and hopes to advance to Sectionals with a strong showing at Conference this weekend.
Cheerleading is quite a different story, though. This is her first year ever being involved in cheerleading. Conner-Urnise tried out when she was dragged into it by a friend and did not expect to make varsity, and planned to quit if she was placed on JV. This was so surprising to her considering she did not have any prior experience.
Out of all three sports she says soccer is her favorite.
But, she is not done there. Don’t forget band. She has been involved with band since the 6th grade. She plays percussion.
Conner-Urnise can be seen Friday night at home football games cheering on the boys from the sidelines, but at about two minutes before half time she runs down the track. She has to make it over to band in time to perform, and then goes right back to her place on the track, poms in hand.
Most students in high school feel overwhelmed just by the amount of homework they have, this ambitious freshmen loves the feeling of being involved in so many different activities.
“It’s fun and time consuming, I enjoy it. It’s not really stressful for me, but it’s hard when coaches expect their sport to be top priority.” said Conner-Urnise.
Although she said it is a bit hard balancing everything, she hopes to participate in all three sports and band in each of her four years here at William Chrisman.
Conner-Urnise has set very high standards set for herself in cheerleading, cross country, soccer, band, and school.
Story By: Olivia Jaynes
Many students wake up and get ready for a seven-hour school day and go through all of their classes, waiting for that last bell to ring that tells them that the school day is finally over.
That is not the case for freshman Lilly Conner-Urnise. When the final bell rings, she doesn’t get to leave.
She has cross country practice from 2:30-4:00 P.M. on most days. She gets home just in time to change and rush to cheerleading practice from 6-9 p.m. If she doesn’t have cheer, it doesn’t mean a break. Then she is marching on the football field at band practice from 6-9 p.m.
And, then there is trying to squeeze homework into that window of free time, to still be an A student.
Just last week, in a 24 hour-period, she cheered at the rivalry game pep rally, had cross country practice, supported the players from the sideline at the football game (played in the marching band at halftime), woke up at 7 a.m. for a Saturday cross country meet and then rushed to an all afternoon marching band competition.
Conner-Urnise is a member of the varsity girls cross country team, a member of the varsity cheerleading team, plans to play soccer in the Spring, and is also a member of the band. If able to join a boys' team, she might even try to wrestle in the winter.
Out of all three sports she participates in, the only one she that she has played before now is soccer. She has played soccer since around 5th
grade.
She first started running cross country in 8th grade at Bingham Middle School. It was just by chance that she continued in high school when she found out she could do multiple sports. She quickly made the varsity and become one of the top three runners.
“She is a tremendous person in general as a freshmen to take on so much is truly impressive. She is a special person and a special athlete, as a runner she has the chance to be very good and a key part of this team for the next four years,” said cross country coach Jason Stacy.
Conner-Urnise helped the Lady Bears win their first City Champs title since 1989 and hopes to advance to Sectionals with a strong showing at Conference this weekend.
Cheerleading is quite a different story, though. This is her first year ever being involved in cheerleading. Conner-Urnise tried out when she was dragged into it by a friend and did not expect to make varsity, and planned to quit if she was placed on JV. This was so surprising to her considering she did not have any prior experience.
Out of all three sports she says soccer is her favorite.
But, she is not done there. Don’t forget band. She has been involved with band since the 6th grade. She plays percussion.
Conner-Urnise can be seen Friday night at home football games cheering on the boys from the sidelines, but at about two minutes before half time she runs down the track. She has to make it over to band in time to perform, and then goes right back to her place on the track, poms in hand.
Most students in high school feel overwhelmed just by the amount of homework they have, this ambitious freshmen loves the feeling of being involved in so many different activities.
“It’s fun and time consuming, I enjoy it. It’s not really stressful for me, but it’s hard when coaches expect their sport to be top priority.” said Conner-Urnise.
Although she said it is a bit hard balancing everything, she hopes to participate in all three sports and band in each of her four years here at William Chrisman.
Conner-Urnise has set very high standards set for herself in cheerleading, cross country, soccer, band, and school.