As a five-sport athlete in cross country, tennis, basketball, softball and track, Parkers Chapel’s Ali Looney isn’t familiar with the phrase, “free time.” Despite the statewide lockdown on sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Looney said she’s managed to stay busy.
“During the quarantine I have tried to stay in shape and stay healthy by running at least three days a week,” she said. “I’ve also been playing basketball some in my driveway and I have been getting tennis lessons with Robert Holmes. I’m hoping with some restrictions being lifted that I might get to play some summer softball.”
Looney was All-State in both tennis and cross country in the Fall. She finished fifth in the 1A-2A State Cross Country Championships and teamed with Kenlee McAuliffe to finish as the doubles runner-up in the 2A State Tennis Tournament.
Looney, at 5-feet-2, also led the Lady Trojans’ basketball team in scoring.
“During the summer I plan to keep working on my running, tennis, and basketball skills because those are the sports I play that are towards the beginning of the school year,” she said. “I know this is my last year in high school sports, so I want to give it my all and enjoy every moment I have left. Because of COVID, I haven’t been able to get in any gyms, but because we have a goal at my house, I can keep shooting and doing basketball drills. I'm also going to start lifting weights again in the coming weeks.”
While some whispered perhaps five sports were a bit much for a high school athlete, this latest lockdown reaffirmed Looney’s desire to compete as much as possible.
“My priorities over this summer have stayed the same. I am going to keep working at all my sports and I’m hoping this year to be the best one yet,” she said. “I do still plan to play five sports my senior year. I love all the sports I play, and I don’t think I could ever drop one. Having softball and track season cancelled this year, it's made me realize how quickly it goes by and how much I miss it. This is also the second year in a row I’ve missed the state track meet so I'm really looking forward to running at state next year.”
Looney said she’s hopeful her senior season won’t be affected by the coronavirus.
“I feel like and am hoping COVID with be slowing down by the time my senior year is starting,” she said. “So, I haven’t been too worried about it. I will be upset though if it ruins the beginning of my senior year.”
For Looney, the beginning of her senior year might be the most important. Of all the sports, cross country could be her future as far as college. It’s also the sport least impacted by COVID-19, as far as preparation.
“Even though we do have some social distancing rules, cross country shouldn’t be affected at all. I’m still going to be training the same and I am really looking forward to this season. This year will be important because even though I still am undecided, running in college is an option for me, so I’m really hoping this is my best season,” said Looney, who listed Henderson State and Central Baptist College as programs showing the most interest.
“Both of these schools have awesome programs, but I haven’t made any decisions yet. Since recruiting has been shut down for the last few months, I haven’t gotten to talk to any coaches lately.”
For Looney and her perpetually rosy glasses, the quarantine wasn’t all bad. Competing year-round eventually takes a physical toll. Even if it was forced upon her, a break might’ve been a benefit.
“This COVID crisis has given me time to rest although I would much rather be playing ball right now,” she said. “It is odd for me to have such a long time span without a competition. By the time I compete in my next tennis match, it will have been almost five months since I competed in anything and I don’t think I have ever gone that long. I miss sports and being with all my teammates.
“One more thing - you hear people say compete like it’s your last game and you don’t really take that seriously. But this has kind of proven the importance of doing everything as though it’s the last time we may get to compete.”
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