D9Sports.com/EYT Media is doing a series of player profiles on returning high-school athletes this summer. The year in school listed by the athlete is the year the athlete is entering this fall.
(Submitted photo. Photo by Cortney Claypoole)
CASSIDY CLAYPOOLE – JUNIOR – MONITEAU
Daughter of: Becky and Lennie Claypoole (Dad is the softball coach at Moniteau; Mom helps coach cheerleading)
Sports Played: Softball and competitive cheerleading
Family Members Playing/Played Sports: Her older sister Cortney, played softball and golfed in high school and was a member of the 2016 Moniteau softball team that was the PIAA runner-up in Class 2A. Cortney played softball at Slippery Rock University this past spring.
2017-18 Highlights: Was a member of Moniteau’s PIAA qualifying Competitive Spirit team that took third in the Small School Division at the District 9 championships with 72.7 points. The squad went on to finish 19th in the state. Was also a starter for the Moniteau softball team and earned first-team All-KSAC outfield honors after hitting .441 with three doubles, five RBIs and 22 runs scored. She stole 10 bases as well.
Post-High School Plans: She plans to go to college and to continue her athletic career.
Q&A With Cassidy Claypoole
D9Sports: What is your favorite sport to participate in and why?
CC: My favorite sport depends on the season. When it is softball season, my favorite sport is softball. When it is cheer season, my favorite sport is cheerleading. I love both sports and everything about them.
D9Sports: What is your favorite memory, moment, game from playing high school sports?
CC: My favorite memory is playing my freshman year of softball with my sister Cortney.
D9Sports: Why do you play high school sports?
CC: I play high school sport for the competitiveness, the rivalry, and the tradition. Sports have always been fun for me.
D9Sports: Who has had the most influence on your athletic career and why?
CC: My parents have always pushed me to be the best I can be. My mother coaches me in cheerleading and is the reason I am the cheerleader I am today. My Father coaches me in softball and is the reason I am the player I am today. My parents are my biggest influences on my high school career.
D9Sports: Do you remember the first sport you played and did you like it right away or did it grow on you?
CC: I played T-ball first and I hated it. I didn’t like the sun or the dirt. The sport grew on me and now I love the tan lines and getting dirty.
D9Sports: Do you have a favorite number for a uniform? If so, what is the story behind that number?
CC: I love wearing number 10. I took the number my freshman year of softball because it was a new jersey and it fits nice. Also, my dad loves calling me “10er”.
D9Sports: What would someone who doesn’t know you be surprised to find out about you?
CC: Someone might be surprised to find out that I love to go fishing. It is a fun way to make memories with friends.
D9Sports: If you could eat dinner with anyone famous (living or dead) who would it be and why?
CC: If I could eat dinner with anyone famous it would be 1970’s John Travolta. I am in love with the movie Grease and the actor he was in that decade.
D9Sports: Iphone or Android or Neither and why?
CC: I choose Iphone over Android because I am used to an iPhone.
D9Sports: What is your go-to Social Media and why?
CC: My go-to Social Media is Snapchat. I am mostly on Snapchat to talk to my friends and to take pictures of my dog.
D9Sports: What do you like most about high school and why?
CC: My favorite thing about high school is sports. My life revolves around it. Sports is how I get away from all the stressful school work.
D9Sports: What do you like least about high school and why?
CC: I really don’t have a least favorite thing about high school but if I had to pick it would be math.
D9Sports: What question do you wish I would have asked you? And what is the answer to it?
CC: I wished the question “What are your team’s goals for the 2018-2019 season” was asked. The answer is to win District 9 in both cheerleading and softball.
