Clinton's Gentry and Briley Wishard, daughters of Brian and Angie Wishard are both dynamic athletes.
Gentry, a 2018 graduate of Clinton High School, was a standout for Lady Cardinals athletics. Upon her graduation from CHS, she took her talents just up the road to Warrensburg where she continued her softball playing career for the Jennies. Gentry graduated from UCM in 2021 and is now continuing her career in the Clinton School District.
Briley, the "little" sister, will be starting her senior year at Clinton High School in the fall as a member of the Class of 2024. In her first three years for the Lady Cardinals, she has garnered many honors and awards and will, undoubtedly, add to that collection in her senior campaign.
Through the beauty of technology, I visited with both Gentry and Briley about playing sports while growing up and some of their memories.
OS: What is your earliest sports related memory?
Gentry: My earliest sports memory is a humbling moment. In the 4th grade, a group of friends decided to start a softball team together. After our first practice concluded my mom picked me up and I instantly started to cry and state how I was the worst person on the team. My mom's response was "Only you can change that". After that, I cannot begin counting the hours my father spent with me in our backyard working to improve my softball ability. After I began to understand the basics, I grew an interest in pitching. My dad warned me about the amount of work that was required. I was still eager to learn. After that, the rest was history.
Briley: My earliest sports memory is getting woke up at 4:00 in the morning to go to my sister, Gentry's softball games. One week I would travel to Kansas City for a tournament and the next I would go to Colorado or Oklahoma for another tournament. As for a sports memory of myself I remember where it all started, which was t-ball. My dad was the coach for my team and I remember how I ended up with a bunch of my friends that year. I thought that my team was going to be so good (the best actually). My uniform would consist of knee-high socks that would be mismatched, my sleeves rolled up, and a visor. I was prepared and ready for the games. The best part of the games what being able to hit the ball. I would get up to the plate and run all the way around the bases. I guess my competitive edge doesn't change with age.
OS: How do you all inspire each other when it comes to sports?
Gentry: My sister Briley inspires me more than she knows. At a young age, she was naturally more athletic than I ever could be. When she began to show an interest in softball I knew it would be in due time before she would be a person I could practice with. Her competitive edge and work ethic pushed me to continually improve, even when I was approaching my last years as a collegiate athlete. After athletics, Briley still pushes me. Whether it is going for a walk or just continuing to stay active, she is always up for a good challenge and I can never say no, even though I am more than likely to lose now.
Briley: Gentry has inspired me from a young age. Since there is an age gap between us I remember going to her softball games. I was not like other siblings at these games. They would go play on the playgrounds or around the sports complexes. I, on the other hand, would sit in a lawn chair up next to the fence, or be in charge of the scoreboard. If there was a way to be involved in a game I was there. Being able to grow up at a softball field has taught and shown me many things that have helped me be the person I am today.
OS: Have sports always been of interest to you?
Gentry: Sports have always been of interest to me, but not because of the sport itself. The reason I found my passion in softball was the opportunities it provided me. I was able to spend quality time with my dad and I now realize how lucky I was. From the age of 10, I got to spend at least an hour every night with my dad. Even though some of those moments weren't easy they are ones I treasure dearly. As I got older softball gave me friendships, the ability to travel to new places, teach life lessons, and continue to humble myself. Yes, sports itself is interesting but the memories, opportunities, and growth it provides is something that is hard to come by.
Briley: Sports have always been an interest to me and have been a part of my life. From one sport to another whether it be softball, basketball, and now track and field. There have been many sports that I have been involved in and now have either grown out of or figured out that they are not meant for me. Honestly, without sports, I do not know what my life would be like. I have grown up with them my whole life and they have become a part of me.
