TENNERTON — In continuing to bring you the best sports coverage in Upshur County, the My Buckhannon sports department is pleased to present another edition of our exclusive — Raising the Jolly Roger With…

In ‘Raising the Jolly Roger With…’ the My Buckhannon sports department will interview a senior student-athlete from Buckhannon-Upshur to get to know them better and what makes them tick both on and off the field. Don’t settle for cheap knockoffs!

Our student-athlete this week is Mia Sappey — enjoy!

1. Please list all the sports you have played at B-U and what year you played them? I’ve done track since my freshman year and joined the cross country team my sophomore year and have been doing it ever since!

2. What has been your favorite athletic moment at Buckhannon-Upshur that you participated in?  My favorite athletic moment would have to be at regionals my sophomore year. The team had just ran their hearts out to try and secure a chance at States for the first time in seven years. None of us thought we had made it and coach (Taylor) Stacy brought out all over as a team and told us the news. It was just a rush of emotions, everyone was in tears and just hugging each other. It was a very special moment and I’m so grateful to have been a part of that.

3. Describe your toughest practice at Buckhannon-Upshur. What sport and who was the coach? My toughest practice was during cross country with coach Stacy. We were out on the track doing a 2,2,4 workout which is a 200, then another 200 and finally a 400. Coach Stacy had told us we would be doing five sets of that so everyone on the team had it in their minds that we would only be doing five. After we finished our fifth set everyone was hurting and tired and Stacy told us we had one more. Of course everyone was upset and frustrated but what we all realized that day is even when you believe you’re at your limit and can’t go any faster that there’s always another gear inside you and you can always do more then what your mind is telling you. After that workout I’ve applied that everyday to my running and have learned to believe in myself more as a runner and as a person.

4. Do you have a favorite saying from one of your head coaches? My favorite saying is from Coach Stacy, “It’s a great day to be great” All of the kids on the team know that as his saying and will say it to each other as well.

5. What was or is your favorite class you have taken at Buckhannon-Upshur and who taught it? Why was it your favorite? My favorite was with Ms. Meese which was a stained glass class. It was my favorite class because I met one of my best friends in that class which led to a lot of new friendships with people that I get to call my best friends.

6. What is your favorite thing about being a Buccaneer? My favorite thing about being a Buccaneer is that I get to represent all the hard-work and determination that is Buckhannon athletics. It doesn’t matter what team you’re on, everyone comes out and puts in effort and pushes their teammates to be the best they can be. I think it’s an amazing thing to be a part of the athletics at Buckhannon and when you put a jersey on you get to represent all the hard work you have done for that moment. It’s such a great feeling to come from a small town and be able to show everyone what Buckhannon is about and to never doubt us.

7. If you were asked to play another sport, what would it be and why? If I were asked to play another sport it would be gymnastics. I did competitive gymnastics from the time I was 7 to 14 years old, I was in the gym 40 hours a week at Aerial Port in Fairmont, I’ve always been proud of myself for my accomplishments in that sport. I have 11 state titles and during my level 8 season I made the WV Regional Team and got to compete alongside seven other gymnasts!

8. Who is your hero and why? My hero is my Nana. She’s the strongest woman I know, she’s never let anyone tell her what she can and can’t do. She never doubts herself, she’s resilient and very humble. She doesn’t like taking compliments and will help anyone who is in need. She is the woman I hope I become someday and the person I look towards in difficult times. She’s truly amazing and anyone who knows or meets her would say the same.

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up the idea I have right now is to become a marine veterinarian!

10. What are your initial plans after graduation this spring? After graduation my plans are to go to college and major in biology with a minor in marine biology. I hope to get internships at rescue centers and aquariums to further my knowledge in marine life!

11. What question do you hate to answer? I hate to answer questions about the future, plans and dreams change all the time and it’s just hard to answer those questions when you don’t  know what will happen.

12. Who is the best athlete in your family? This question is truly hard to answer. My dad, brother, and I have been very athletic and in different ways! My brother, Alex, is a faster runner then me and played hockey when he was younger. My dad did cross country and soccer in college and is in the Hall of Fame for cross country at Wesleyan. I did gymnastics and was able to win state titles and have had many accomplishments in cross county and track as well. It’s hard to chose just one because we’re all so different and have flourished in many different sports.

13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot? If so, where? My favorite vacation spot is Nags Head, Outer Banks. I’ve been going there for two weeks every summer since I was three and I’ve basically grown up there.

14. What is your favorite food and one thing you won’t eat? My favorite food is bacon-cheddar fries from CJ Maggies with ranch and cheese dip on top! One thing I won’t eat is asparagus.

15. What advice would you give to a young athlete ready to start his/her time as a Buccaneer? Cherish every moment. Make something out of every single day you are at practice and always try your best. I know everyone says that time will fly but it truly does, I feel like I just started running and it’s already been three years. It’s an amazing accomplishment to be on one of our sports teams and I hope you make the most of it! It’s such a fun experience and can change the way you live life. Each sport has something to apply to real life and it’s important to recognize that and use that to your advantage!