By Hayden Swope

Northwest senior Avery Silsby knew with some changes to the Grizzlies’ roster coming up this season, she was going to need to step up and help lead them to a successful season. 

“My goal for the season is to show up and show out as a team,” Silsby said. “We’ve always been underdogs. Losing our coach and some players this past season, some people don’t think we got it in us anymore. My goal is to prove them wrong. Hopefully Northwest grinds this year to make it to state.”

During the offseason, Silsby prepared herself and her mind for the season ahead. Working and training is what Silsby did to improve her game. 

“How I prepared for the 2023 season was just to train,” Silsby said. “I wanted to get stronger, faster, and smarter. From the previous seasons I’ve realized my weakness was mental, so I learned to get out of my head. But this being my last season I wanted nothing stopping me.”

As a junior, Silsby was first team all-league, as well as a second team all-state outfielder. 

“All the hard work I have put in for the sport is getting recognized and I couldn’t be more thankful,” Silsby said.

Silsby plans on continuing her education after high school, and hopes to major in Finance. 

“My future plans after high school is to continue my academics at the University of Kansas,” Silbsy said. “I’ll be majoring in finance to hopefully get the education I need to become an accountant.”