Sarah Tepatti is recognized as the Student-Athlete Spotlight for May.
Sarah is a six-sport student-athlete. She is completing seventh grade at Southern Middle School. Sarah is a team member at school and in travel leagues. She plays basketball, baseball, and tennis at Southern Middle and lacrosse, golf, and ice hockey for travel teams.
Sarah has played catcher and relief pitcher for the Southern Middle baseball team for two years. Southern Middle School baseball coach Cobb nominated Sarah. He described her as an “outstanding example of an all-around athlete.”
“My favorites would be my main three, hockey, lacrosse, and basketball. It depends on which one I’m playing,” said Sarah.
For basketball, Sarah has played mainly point guard for two years at Southern Middle and three years before that for recreation. Sarah plans to play basketball at Pinecrest.
Sarah has played lacrosse for three years on a travel team outside of school. She has been selected in team North Carolina in the American Select Lacrosse Championship. She will travel to Delaware with her team to compete in the summer tournament. Her team has won multiple championships, and she hopes to play at Pinecrest in a few years.
Starting hockey at a young age, Sarah began playing in a local roller hockey league and then moved to ice hockey, where she currently plays on an all-girls team in Raleigh.
Starting tennis with her dad as soon as she was old enough to hold a racket, Cobb now describes Sarah as one of the top tennis players on her team at Southern Middle. Sarah placed first in singles with a 7-2 record.
Playing so many sports and staying active on that many teams isn’t easy, but Sarah has a love for it.
“It helps me get away. I have a lot of friends in sports that I can talk to and have fun with. Being a part of big wins is amazing,” said Sarah.
Sarah likes to follow UNC, NC State, and Virginia Tech sports but hopes to attend UNC, where she will continue to play sports. After college, she hopes to work in the engineering or veterinarian fields but hopes to go pro in one of her sports.
Sarah is on the A/B honor roll. She likes science and social studies, where she is learning about engineering. She has big plans for her future but is focusing on next year’s seasons.
“I want to become a better teammate, helping my team and becoming better at all the sports,” said Sarah.
If six sports and good grades weren’t giving Sarah enough to do, she is part of the Fellowship Christian Athletes Club at her school. She also is in band where she plays the saxophone.
Sarah’s older brother, Conner, is an athlete at Pinecrest. She enjoys spending time with him and playing sports together.
Sarah has many animals that she enjoys playing with and taking care of. “Sometimes you can just talk to them, and they don’t talk back, or if you’re sad, they will be right there for you,” said Sarah.
She also is a mentor to younger kids in her neighborhood, known as the big sister. They like to play sports and hang out with her. “They make me feel accomplished that I have set a good impression on them,” said Sarah.
Sarah has a long athletic career ahead of her, but she recognizes who has helped her.
“My family and my coaches have been there to help me in my career. They help me improve and have been there for me when I have gotten hurt, or I feel down. Both of my parents have helped develop my mindset,” said Sarah.
If you want to nominate a student-athlete for the student-athlete spotlight, please email [email protected].
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Curtis Self.
Photo contributed by the Tepatti family.
