Pelican Rapids senior Abby Syverson has had a memorable high school sports career, competing in cross country, track and field and basketball for the Vikings.

Her top sports memories include making it to the state girls’ basketball tournament when one her teammates hit a buzzer beater shot to beat Fergus Falls for the Section 8AA title in March, and her junior track and field season when she was part of a state championship 4x400 meter relay team.

“Being involved in sports have given me the opportunity to make friends from different towns,” said Syverson.  “I have met some of my closest friend through sports and without sports I would not have made the friendships and connections I have today.  Sports have also taught me the importance of hard work.”

Track and Field Coach John Peter shared the following about Syverson, “Abby has been a great part of our team for the past 5 years.  She has been very easy to coach and has grown into a quality leader within the team over the past few years.  Her flexibility in events and in her willingness to do what is needed to support the team is a big reason for our team's success.  She was an important part of the 2017 Section Championship team as well as the 2018 and 2019 True Team Section Championship teams.  She has also been a mainstay in our team's 4x400 meter relay team.”

As for basketball coach Brian Korf, “Abby was very coachable and worked hard.  She played her role on the team very well and was an unselfish player who put the team first.”

Cross Country Coach Steve Maresh said, “One of Abby’s biggest attributes as an athlete is her willingness to compete.  She likes to win, and her competitiveness has given her many winning moments as a cross country runner at Pelican Rapids.”

Syverson plans to compete collegiately in both cross country and track and field as she attends Bemidji State University, pursuing a major in Exercise Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy.  Science classes, such as anatomy and chemistry physics, were her favorite high school subjects.

“Even though we haven’t been able to have a competitive track season this spring I have been training like I am still going to compete,” explained Syverson.  “I need to prepare for my first college cross country season, so I use that as motivation.  I also enjoy running and it helps with stress.  I’m sad that I won’t get to have a final high school track season, but it helps that I am going to be competing in college too.”

Her advice to underclassmen, “don’t ever take anything for granted.  Cherish every moment you have with your friends, teammates, and fellow classmates because you never know what the next day will bring.”