Athlete Spotlight: Lakeside High School - Jamie Lake
Lakeside's Jamie Lake
Photo by Jim BlaylockAs a three-sport athlete at Lakeside High School, Jamie Lake never gets a break - and she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Playing three sports is the best thing I could have done, because I've gotten to know more people in the process," the junior says. "It's broadened my horizons. If I had specialized in one sport, I probably would have been better at that particular sport, but that doesn't matter. I'm just out to have fun."
Lake is a player for all seasons: in the fall, it's softball; then she warms up the winter with basketball; in the spring her fancy turns to soccer.
Despite the busy schedule, Lake devotes time to studies, and is in the top 10 in her class academically.
"Jamie is a leader on the field and in the classroom. She plays three sports and maintains a 97 average," Lakeside softball coach Jay Matthews said. "It takes a lot of dedication to be able to do that, and have success at both athletics and academics."
Lake doesn't just suit up in three sports - she excels.
In softball, she is a two-time all-region selection, she starts at guard in basketball, and is a soccer standout at the sweeper position, where she has helped lift the Lady Panthers to a pair of region titles.
Although Ed Lake hedged when asked which was his daughter's best sport, he easily explained why Jamie is good at all three.
"One thing that stands out is she is thinking all the time. She knows the opponent's weaknesses, and takes advantage. Jamie hates to lose, and she never quits. She's the kind of kid you can count on in the clutch."
Jamie Lake is on course to earn 12 varsity letters in her prep career, but achieving that rare feat is just part of a bigger process - the letter that really matters is the "W" earned with each Lakeside win.
"I try to help my team as much as I can. All three sports mean a lot to me. I can't really give one up, because it's competition, and that's the way I am. I'm very competitive."