The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

Conquering the bar and the field

Senior Mason Massey has found not one, but two passions: gymnastics and football
Mason+Massey+has+taken+on+the+role+of+football+player+and+gymnast%2C+two+different+sports%2C+with+different+skill+sets.
Carter Bryant
Mason Massey has taken on the role of football player and gymnast, two different sports, with different skill sets.

From the football turf during 6 a.m. practices, to the gymnastics gym during 9 p.m. sessions, senior Mason Massey strives to be his best in both his football and gymnastics training.

Massey has been involved in gymnastics for years and recently joined the football team this past season.

“My parents put me in [gymnastics] when I was really young,” Mason said. “I kept with it because I enjoy it, and it keeps me in shape.”

Mason’s younger brother, sophomore Mitchell Massey said his older brother has always been a gifted gymnast, and wanted him to try football because of his strong athletic abilities.

“Everyone in my family has done gymnastics at least once, but Mason was always keen on it,” Mitchell said. “Gymnastics has always been a passion of Mason’s. I knew he would never quit that. Mason’s very athletic so I eventually convinced him to just try [football].”

Mason had always wanted to try out football, and decided to go for it in his last year of high school.

“Over the summer I decided to kind of stop wishing and start doing,” Mason said.

Since becoming involved in both gymnastics and football, Mason has found that his gymnastics training has contributed to him becoming a better football player despite the sports’ differences

“It has helped me prepare for football by being strong and in shape, because if I was as short as I am and not as athletic, I would’ve struggled a lot in football,” Mason said.

Inside receiver coach Tyler Wicke explained how Mason’s balance and center of gravity have given him opportunities to grow and become a better football player.

The work ethic with him is outstanding

— Inside receiver coach Tyler Wicke

“He does have superior balance,” Wicke said. “You can tell as the way he moves around that stuff that would knock a lot of people off balance, he has a little bit better center of gravity and balance than you’d see on the normal person. He has better control of his body and that allows him to do more things, and pick up things quicker.”

Mason’s two sports, though fulfilling, have added a sense of stress to his everyday schedule.

“[Dropping out of my extracurriculars] has probably crossed my mind once or twice, but I don’t know what I would do with my free time,” Mason said.

Wicke said he admires Mason’s constant support, good attitude, and energy despite his other tiring activities.

“He brings a lot of positive energy around him all the time and he’s always flying around practice and helping us, no matter what we need,” Wicke said. “He has a great attitude all the time and gives great effort. He’s learned a lot. He just started with us over the summer so his growth and knowing what to do and how to do it has been great.”

Mason’s chaotic schedule has taught him how to stay motivated and occupied throughout his day.

“One thing that I’ve noticed [about always being busy is that] it keeps you out of trouble,” Mason said. “When you’re always busy, you don’t have as many opportunities to go out and make bad decisions.”

Wicke also explained that Mason’s energy and work ethic from gymnastics has helped him tremendously in football.

“The work ethic with him is outstanding,” Wicke said. “It has to be with as much time as he’s spent training, doing other things, he’s learned how to work hard throughout his life in other areas and he’s carried that over to football with him.”

Despite joining football his senior year and dealing with two completely different sports, Mason has continued to grow and excel.

“Effort can cover up for a lot of mistakes,” Wicke said. “You don’t have to necessarily know what you’re doing all the time, but putting forth great effort, it’s a skill in itself. That’s something Mason definitely has.”

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About the Contributors
Lulu Butler, Section Editor
Continuing into her fourth year on staff, senior Lulu Butler serves as TRL’s Managing and A+E Editor, and she is eager to start another amazing year alongside her fellow editors. After joining newspaper in the eighth grade on a whim, Lulu quickly found a passion for writing, leading, and teaching and has been hooked ever since. Lulu is also involved in other areas around the school including Student Council, NHS, and Class Council where she excitedly serves as the Senior Class Vice President. Besides taking naps, Lulu’s favorite activity is dancing, and she can almost always be found at her dance studio. Friends of Lulu’s will even attest to that fact that she is in the studio more than her own home. Lulu finds most of her happiness within the simple pleasures of life- that is eating good food, napping, shopping, long drives, the lake, church, hanging out with friends and family, sunsets, laughing, Friday night football games, sweatshirts and the list goes on. As she enters her final year of high school, Lulu is eager to progress in her writing, learn, make new friendships and maybe grow a few inches too. Although she is unsure of what’s in store for her future, Lulu is sure of that fact that she’ll be dancing and laughing all the way through.
Carter Bryant, Staff Reporter
Carter Bryant is a senior who is a first year staff member of The Red Ledger. He joined because he wants to work as a photographer and cover stories students actually care about. His hobbies include photography, drawing, reading, and hanging out with friends. Carter was on the tennis team and on the yearbook staff. Carter has creatively pursued other outside interest throughout the years as well. He has attended Sky Ranch since 4th grade and completed the program all the way through the highest level, which is Sigma Leadership in Colorado this past summers. In addition, he has been a Camp Counselor employee at Sky Ranch for the past two summers. During his free time he works on his photography and occasionally work under a professional photographer. He wants to become a photojournalist or an entrepreneur, so right now he takes his passion seriously. He enjoys to play video games game with his friends and especially enjoys Pokemon. He has stated if his job when does not work out when he’s older that he will become a full time Pokemon master. He reads in his past time and his favorite books include “Blue like Jazz”, the “Maximum Ride” series, and “Cat in the Hat”. If you want to learn more about him or look at his work look at his Instagram ( @cartier2766 ) and Twitter ( @carterbryant4 ).

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