Sr Focus: Baird enjoys sports, cheerleading at Medora

Jetta Baird
admits that some nights it has been hard to step on the volleyball court or basketball floor at Medora, but it has been worth it.

"The fun playing volleyball is knowing that even though we may not win every game that we are still able to play, and I am still able to get that experience that I'll need for college."

Baird, who battled a lot of girls taller than her, said playing at the net "was a challenge, but I can still block as good as any of the other girls. I'm a pretty good jumper.

"Passing is probably one of my strongest things, along with hitting. I know that every time the ball is coming to me, it doesn't matter where it's at, I always try to get it."

She received several special awards Monday night and said, "My dad has a wall covered with all my awards since fourth grade.

"I want to give a special thanks to my coach, (Kristina Beesley), because if it wasn't for her I don't think I would have stuck it out this year."

Baird said the girls are going to have to work hard in basketball. "It's going to take the girls being more determined and more into what they're doing,  paying attention in practice, and trying their hardest in practice.
"The way you play in practice is the way you are going to play in a game. We need to learn how to handle the ball better, and we need to be aware of the players on the other team. My specialty is stealing. I like to steal the ball from the other team."

Baird started at guard last winter and received the free throw award.

Jetta Baird file

Parents: Ray and Penny Baird

Siblings: Krisa, Mica

Sports: volleyball 4 years, basketball 3, cheerleading 1 year

Goal: Winning season in basketball. "The girls we have now have all the potential. If the coach finds a good combination we have all the potential to win some games. I'm working in general to have the best stats. I want to lead the team in free-throw shooting and in steals again. I'm trying to clean up this year."

Attending MHS: "I enjoy it here. I had the opportunity to go to Brownstown this year but I decided against it. No. 1, it's my senior year, and I wasn't sure if would get on the ball team there because the girls have been together for so long. I knew if I came here it was a guarantee."

Home games: "Home games are my favorite. I know all my friends if they don't go to away games, they'll always go to home games and support me. I've had a lot of friends make even more of an attempt to come to home games and I'm happy for that."

CHEERLEADING: Baird will be a cheerleader this winter, and it will be a new experience for her. "I've always wanted to be a cheerleader, but my Dad would never let me try it. I want to try to get eight letters."
She is senior class president: "I am so honored by it. I was surprised when I got nominated, and I was even more surprised when I won. I'm looking forward to after we graduate we have a time capsule we've had since sixth grade and I'm going to be in charge of getting all the class reunions together and I'm really looking forward to that."

Being a senior: "I'm happy I'm a senior and I'm also nervous about the future. I'm not sure where I'm going to be a year from now. I was thinking about  coming here next year and helping Kristina and be an assistant coach. If I don't start college in the fall I'm thinking about starting in the spring."

Message to elementary students: "Sports open doors for a lot of opportunities. Sports let you get to know a lot of people. It opens up doors for the future because you can go to college and play. There are a lot of careers that you get help with through sports. Sports are a good social thing also. Sports help you boost your confidence. You get to meet a lot of other people."

Future plans: Attend Evansville or Indiana University