It’s a quick change of seasons for Elk City senior Lou Wyatt. A catcher on the Lady Elks fast pitch team that recently completed their second straight trip to the state tournament, Lou will have a month or so to change gears and get ready to perform on the hardwoods for new basketball coach Mason Jones.

“Lou is one of two seniors who will lead the way for us this year. I really like the way she has bought into the way I want to run the program and the culture I want to establish, and she has made it her mission to pass that along to the rest of the team through her leadership,” said Jones.

“I know coming into this season that we have just two seniors, so I’ll have to take on a bigger role in that regard,” said Wyatt. “I’m vocal on the court and always hyping everyone up and letting them know that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.”

Growing up Lou tried several sports but just two of them have stuck with her.

“When I was young, I started in basketball and softball but also did gymnastics and played soccer and volleyball, but softball and basketball are the two that I’ve stayed with over the years.”

Among the highlights over her time at Elk City are, of course, softball trips to the state tournament, basketball games against archrival Weatherford, and a basketball game in the playoffs last year in which she wasn’t a full-time participant.

“We played Woodward in the district playoffs, and I broke my arm during the game and to watch the end from the hospital, but we were down at halftime and came to win and that was a game I’ll always remember for a couple of reasons.”

In addition to her athletic endeavors, Lou is also in the National Honor Society, FCA, student council, senior class committee, and the Key club and Interact which both involve community projects. When she leaves Elk City, Lou knows how she would like to be remembered.

“I’d like to be thought of as a good leader and someone who worked hard even when no one was watching.”

She plans to attend Oklahoma State and study nutritional science after high school.