By Chez Oxendine

Chisholm High School senior Brinidey Willson is grateful to compete in her senior seasons in basketball and track, given the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This season has gone well so far,” Willson said. “I am excited to see what else my team and I can do with the rest of it. I am grateful to have been able to play through obstacles even from the beginning.”

Willson’s senior seasons cap off four years of track and basketball at Chisholm and a sports career that began when Willson was just four years old.

“It has taken a lot of patience to be successful,” Willson said. “There have been many hours of hard work and effort over the years.”

Willson called the basketball season a “positive light” for her throughout an otherwise rough year.

“I am thankful for my team and Coach Gregg,” she said.

Willson is also grateful to her twin sister, Brooklyn, who she cites as her biggest role model.

“My biggest influence is my twin sister. She is the other half of me,” Willson said. “She always pushes me to do my best. She holds me accountable in life.”

Brooklyn is just one of Willson’s eight siblings. Being a member of such a large family has taught Willson a lot about working with others and has become critical to her character.

“Being a team player has always been a part of my life,” Willson said. “To be a character athlete means being optimistic and being able to work as part of a team.” 

Her sense of teamwork and optimism carry over to her membership in student council, National Honor Society, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Willson said she’s been involved in all three organizations since she started high school.

“I do my best to be optimistic and work as part of a team 100-percent during practice and in my daily life,” Willson said.