Brinkley Bartley enjoys playing sports. She plays basketball, fast-pitch softball, and slow-pitch softball, and runs track for Pond Creek-Hunter High School. To be her best, she knows that it takes a lot of time, energy, and preparation. She says that she also enjoys all the things that go along with competing. 

“In order to be successful, it has taken hard work throughout high school,” she said. “From coming in early in the mornings to staying late after practice. Going to the gym and batting barn in my spare time. Playing travel ball throughout the summer and having great coaches who have pushed me to become better. I love playing and achieving the personal goals I’ve set for myself. It always motivates me to keep going and work harder. Winning is always a big motivator also the excitement of my teammates when we are successful as a whole. 

As she prepares for her senior year, Bartley reflects back on her career so far and enjoys all the memories she has made.

“I think the highlight would be being awarded Skeltur All-Conference this season,” she said. “Another highlight I really enjoyed was our basketball game against Garber. We went into overtime with them and I had six three-pointers, twenty-two points, and seven rebounds in that game. We almost had the win but there’s always next year.” 

Throughout her life, Brinkley has had a number of people that have been influential to her as an athlete and as a person. She says that out of all of them, there are two people that she looks up to the most. 

“My biggest role models are my grandparents,” she said. “My late grandfather was always teaching me to work with my hands, from teaching me to change the oil in the car to work in his garden. Whenever my mom has a flat or needs something fixed around the house, I’m the one who fixes it. I was always his little helper.  My grandma Jane continues to be my biggest cheerleader she never misses a game and is always there to feed the whole team. I hope someday to be as selfless and loving as she is.”