Senior Trystan Smith has only been part of the Webb City High School soccer program for two seasons, but the latecomer to the sport has quickly found a second family on the pitch.

Smith grew up loving baseball, yet soccer has reshaped how he views teammates and togetherness. “The support and just the team in general. I loved baseball my whole life, but ever since I started playing soccer, I look at all the players as family,” Smith said.

Family is also at the heart of what drives him. Smith said his brother and his mom are his biggest inspirations, pushing him daily to be a better person. “Without them in my life I wouldn’t be the person I am today,” he said. “They pushed me every day to be a better person and I can’t thank them enough.”

In the classroom, Smith lists math as his favorite subject and credits Mrs. Fisher for helping him stay on track during his junior and senior years. He said school is a priority, and he makes sure his grades are where they need to be before he relaxes or goes out with friends. “My mom has always taught me that growing up,” Smith said.

On the field, Smith said he especially respects the pressure that comes with playing in goal. “You’re in the very back, so you have a lot of pressure put on you once it gets past the whole team,” he said. “If you mess up you just feel like you failed your team and you didn’t do enough.”

Smith said he has learned that sports are a mental battle as much as a physical one, especially while juggling athletics and academics. “When I play sports I put my full effort, but I just try to enjoy it because it could be my last time playing,” he said. He looks up to teammate and captain Hudson Spikereit for his calm leadership and ability to keep the team together, no matter what the circumstances.