In high school sports, athletes who typically have successful final seasons leave the program with a legacy. These legacies are built by good sportsmanship, strong leadership qualities, and overall success in their sport. Typically younger players in the program work to continue the legacy of their past teammates, but in several programs there are younger siblings with hopes to continue what their siblings had started in the program. 

The trend of successful sibling legacy has been seen around campus for several years. Two well known alumni around campus, Brock and Chubba Purdy, had left their legacy as the Purdy brothers in the football program. Brock Purdy was able to take the pumas to the state championship as the quarterback in 2017. His younger brother was on the varsity team with him that year and was able to watch his brother perform well. Then Chubba Purdy became the starting quarterback for the team to continue on his brother’s legacy bringing the team to the football state finals. Both brothers went on to play collegiate football, and Brock Purdy is now in the NFL.

The advantage of having a sibling in the program is the built in role model for the younger sibling. Freshman Saydie Herbert is in her first year of the girls soccer program and her sister is Siera Herbert who is currently a senior in the program. Saydie explained, “I am always learning from my older sister, so it inspires me to be better and always try to beat her.” Siera and Saydie practice together almost every day. “I hope she looks up to me and works to have my work ethic,” said Siera. Both sisters work to make each other better which results in successes in the soccer program. 

Not only do siblings push each other to be better they also offer a sense of comfort in the program. Siblings are a built-in best friend and getting to be around them in the sport helps ease anxiety that comes with the game. Sophomore girls soccer player Ashlyn Hunt explained, “I know I’ll always have her there.” Her older sister, senior Shayla Hunt, is currently on the varsity girls soccer team. These siblings have a close bond which helps better their play. “I have a best friend with me at all times and someone I can always turn to,” said Shayla. 

It is seen that younger siblings want to live up to the legacy their siblings built in the program. This theory also balances out the older sibling because they constantly have eyes on them. The older sibling lays the foundation of the legacy the siblings want to leave at the program. Having siblings in a program heavily benefits the team, and it has been seen in the school’s sports for several years.