Durant High junior Ally Louden is a jack of all trades — or, sports — for her school. Louden, a starter on the girls basketball and lacrosse teams, has also dabbled in track and field and flag football. She’s also got straight A’s and a 5.40 unweighted (4.0 weighted) GPA.
What’s your favorite sport, of everything you’ve played?
Lacrosse, and then basketball is up there too.
What’s better about lacrosse?
I like playing outside, on a big field that lets me run more. There are also more players to work with.
How’s your season going?
I’m doing pretty good. As a team, we’ve only lost three games and have won the rest.
Is there any sport you haven’t tried before, but always wanted to?
Probably softball. I’ve never tried it, and it seems pretty fun.
Are you going to try anything new your senior year?
I might try track again just to get in shape but, other than that, I don’t think I’ll try anything new.
How far do you think the lacrosse team can go this season?
I think we’ll go pretty far. I think our attitude and focus has improved throughout the season, so I think we’ll be able to beat (Newsome) and move on and win our district.
Any college plans?
Right now, I’m verbally committed to Florida Southern to play lacrosse. But, I’m also looking around at other schools, just in case.
What would you major in?
I don’t really know. I know I don’t want to go into anything medical but, other than that, I don’t know what I want to do.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done on a playing field?
Probably in basketball. The ball was going out of bounds by the chairs where the team sits. I threw it behind my back. I was in mid-air. I jumped on the chair and over the chair, and our team got it. It was this season, at home.
What’s one thing you most want to improve, athletically, before you graduate?
Probably focusing on getting in shape and preparing myself before a game. Getting mentally prepared for practice or games.
Do you have the same pre-game routine for every sport?
No. For basketball, I usually do the same thing, but for lacrosse sometimes it’s difficult. Out games are early, so we have to get out there earlier to practice, so I have to speed everything up.
What’s your favorite pre-game meal?
Fettucine Alfredo.
You get $1 billion in the bank. What do you buy?
I would probably take my family to Australia. I’ve always wanted to go there.
You get any superpower you want. What do you pick?
The ability to read people’s minds.
A kid comes up to you and asks you for advice on getting better in any sport?
Keep practicing. Always practice, never give up. Just remember how far you’ve come, because that’s what keeps me going. Remember why you started and keep going, no matter what.
You get to meet any famous person you want. Who is it, and what would you do?
Probably Abby Wambach. We’d just hang out in a city somewhere. I’d want to see what she did on a daily basis for the soccer team. She’s probably my favorite female athlete. She just seems really cool and down-to-earth.
A kid comes up to you and asks you for advice on getting better in any sport?
Keep practicing. Always practice, never give up. Just remember how far you’ve come, because that’s what keeps me going. Remember why you started and keep going, no matter what.
In the classroom, you’re doing pretty well for yourself. What’s your favorite subject?
I like math. And then, probably, history.