Goose Creek CISD
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Mason Duke, Goose Creek Memorial
MODEL STUDENT-ATHLETE: Duke Excels On, Off Field with Play and Grades
NATURAL ATHLETIC ABILITY RUNS THROUGH THE VEINS OF MASON DUKE.
His older brother Myles went on to play football at SMU, while his father Darrick played football and baseball at the University of Texas. Not only has their talent on the field been carried on by the Goose Creek Memorial senior, but also their excellence in the classroom.
In February, Duke was selected by the Touchdown Club of Houston as a Top 25 scholar-athlete in the city of Houston. Myles received the same recognition in 2015 and Darrick was honored by the Houston Athletic Committee for it in 1989.
“It is an accomplishment I am very proud of,” Duke said. “My parents instilled great worth ethic in me, and the importance of education. This legacy is an example of just that.”
Being an accomplished athlete on the field and a recognized student in the classroom doesn’t come easy, especially when you are the team’s starting quarterback in the fall and play on the baseball diamond in the spring.
It has turned into some long days but all worth it in the end, Duke said.
“I’ve tried to be my best at both,” he said. “Up at 5:30 a.m. for film and workouts, then coming home after practice to study is extremely tough. My goal was to give myself options for my future and college. So, I put in the work on both ends.”
This past fall, Duke earned second-team, all-district honors for his play on the football field and hopes to reciprocate that on the diamond.
As he plays his senior campaign, Duke currently has an offer to play football at Texas Lutheran and some college baseball coaches have been in contact to watch his senior year.
At the end of the day, Duke put a plan in motion years ago to make sure most of his schooling would be taken care of at the next level – either through athletics, academics or both.
“Education is the most important. You never know how far your athletic abilities will take you,” Duke said. “So having great grades and ranking high in my class academically has always been first. If I didn’t get an athletic scholarship, I would set myself up for an academic one. And that plan is paying off. I have been accepted to the colleges I’ve applied to and have received a few full academic scholarships.”
The future is bright for Duke either route he takes.
Rebecca Archibald, Baytown Lee
THE 411: Ganders' Senior Outfielder Rebecca Archibald Ready for Big Year
REBECCA ARCHIBALD RANGES THE OUTFIELD FOR THE GANDERS AND WILL DO THE SAME FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS NEXT FALL. LAST YEAR, ARCHIBALD EARNED A DISTRICT 22-5A HONORABLE MENTION NOD. VYPE CAUGHT UP WITH THE SENIOR GANDER TO GET INSIDE THE HELMET OF THE LEE STAR.
VYPE: What was it about softball that really drew you to the sport at a young age?
ARCHIBALD: When I was younger, I grew up watching my brother play baseball. I wanted to be just like him, so I started to play t-ball. After two years, my parents suggested I play softball, so I watched some college softball teams and decided to give it a try. What drew me in originally was running the bases and scoring, honestly. A couple of years later, I loved being able to get people out and hitting. This is what continued my passion to play over the years.
VYPE: Outside of softball what do you like to do?
ARCHIBALD: Outside of softball, I love to read and write.
VYPE: What is something not a ton of people know about you?
ARCHIBALD: Not a ton of people know that I have a bow and arrow. Because of where I live, I’m not really able to practice how I liked to, but I would love to really use my bow and arrow more.
VYPE: When you are at the plate, what is going through your mind?
ARCHIBALD: I think about what I should do to go around the defense and get on. I think about whether I should bunt, soft slap, or power slap. Then once I decide, I think about what I need to do to execute what I want.
VYPE: What’s your walk-up song and why?
ARCHIBALD: Unfortunately for high school we do not have walk up songs. If we did, I would like to have Really Really by Kevin Gates because I like the way the song sounds, and it makes me feel confident.
VYPE: What is your Netflix binge?
ARCHIBALD: Criminal Minds
VYPE: What is your favorite all-time movie?
ARCHIBALD: The Benchwarmers
VYPE: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
ARCHIBALD: In 10 years, I see myself having a stable job and hopefully starting a family.
VYPE: If you could represent a product, what would it be?
ARCHIBALD: Mine would be Chick-fil-A.