Lilyan Walden is a multi-sport athlete at Oklahoma Bible Academy. She says that in order to be at her best when it is time to compete takes a lot of work and mental preparation.

“It has taken a lot of extra hours in the gym lifting and getting shots up or getting cuts in after practice for softball,” she said. “One thing that keeps me motivated is the desire to achieve goals and to perform well.”

Walden is a senior at OBA and she plays fastpitch and slowpitch softball, basketball, and golf for the Trojans. Away from school, she also plays on a travel ball team called Team Price.

Playing sports has given Walden the opportunity to make a lot of memories both on and off the field with her teammates.

“I think the last time we went to state and made it as far as we did is one of my favorite memories,” she said. “The memories from that weekend will last a lifetime. Also, the team that I enjoy playing against the most would have to be Okarche. I have teammates on my travel ball team that play on Okarche and it’s a competitive game but also a fun game because it’s against one of my favorite teammates like Scout Payne.”

Throughout her life, Lilyan has had a number of people that have impacted her and helped her become the person that she is today and that she will become.

“I would say my dad is my biggest role model because he has sacrificed so much in his life for me and he shows me how to be a hard worker in everything I do,” she said. “A teacher that has played a big role for me is Mr. Reese. He has supported me through everything and I think is one of my biggest fans on and off the court. He has shown me so much support the last four years at OBA and I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Being at her best on game day is important, but Walden knows that in order to be able to compete, she has to be a successful student in the classroom.

“In order to balance school work with sports, it takes a lot of hard work and late nights doing school work,” she said.