The pace of the game is what has drawn Elk City senior Kazlyn Ulrich to enjoy basketball over other sports as she has grown up.

“I tried lots of sports when I was young and basketball became my favorite, and I started playing travel ball in eighth grade. I also played softball until last year, but I found it kind of boring, and I didn’t like the waiting around. In basketball something’s happening all the time and it keeps you on your toes and I like how competitive it is.”

New Lady Elks coach Mason Jones has not had much time with her team yet as a number of players were on the Elks fastpitch team that went to the state tournament, but she likes what she’s seen so far from Ulrich.

“She’s one of two seniors I have on the team, and she’s taken her role as a senior leader seriously through her example of hard work ethic.”

Kazlyn feels that being a successful team leader means being strong but also empathetic.

“I want to be a person that people can come to for advice and help when they’re struggling with something on the court. Good leadership means being vocal, understanding and a good listener.”

Looking back on her career at Elk City, Ulrich says the Elks games against rival Weatherford were always memorable, and another memory was a big win last year.

“We played Kingfisher late in the season and they were ranked (#5) at the time, and we played them close, and I hit two free throws towards the end of the game that put us ahead four or five points and we upset them.” And looking ahead to this season, Kazlyn is focused on a primary team goal.

“It’s never really about the numbers for me. What I’d really like is for us to get past the second round of area this year which is where we’ve ended up the last two years.”

In addition to basketball, Kazlyn also throws the shot and discus in track and is a member of the National Honor Society, FCA, Key club, student council and the senior class committee. After high school she plans to attend college and eventually become a dermatologist.