By Ariel Casida
Reese Royal is a junior at Medford High School. He participates in football, basketball, track, golf, student council, Future Farmers of America, and National Honor Society. He has been playing football since he was in the third grade. Reese got his start in football because he loved watching other kids play and wanted to “be like the big kids,” he says.
The highest moment in Reese’s career so far was when he was switched from an on and off quarterback to a starting split end.
“Reese is a very athletic, hardworking receiver that takes as much pride in blocking as he does running routes,” says Coach Blake Lamle, proving that Royal was ready for the move to a starting position.
His favorite football moment so far was when his team beat Welch for the district title.
“The crowd and game atmosphere were crazy,” Reese says.
His favorite part about football is that lively atmosphere of the crowd when they get to play at home games and the brotherly love that turns a group of guys on a team into an extended family.
Reese’s mother is the person that has been his biggest positive impact and role model. Reese says that it’s because she has always been his biggest supporter and has been there for him through all of the ups and downs.
“One thing about Reese is that in the past two years he has really poured his heart into sports, specifically football and basketball,” said his mom. “I have been battling cancer for two years. Sports and his teammates/coaches have been his escape.”
In his free time, Reese likes to go hunting, fishing, and playing basketball. His favorite subject in school is science, because it’s always come easy to him. His favorite teacher is his English teacher, because she has a good sense of humor and is always there for her students. After high school, Reese plans to play basketball while attending college and studying to be a medical dosimetrist, someone who creates specific radiation therapy treatment plans for cancer patients.
Sports have taught Reese not to give up, that anything is possible, and to chase his dreams. To him, being a great athlete takes hard work, determination, and having the mental fortitude to block out all of the distractions to focus on the task at hand. His advice to other athletes is that anything is possible, and to always give it your all, all of the time.
