Role models can play a big role in everyone’s life. And that is especially true when we are younger because they are someone that we look up to and hope to be like. Aven Hobbs is a student-athlete at Ponca City High School and he has a few people that he would consider role models.
“My biggest influences are definitely my mom and dad,” he said. “They have always been there for me and taught me a lot of what I know now. In the school, someone that had an impact on me would be my grade school principal, Mrs. Merrifield. She taught me that physical activity is important.”
Aven is a senior at Ponca City, where is a part of the football and track teams. He is also a member of the Student Council and the Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
Just like most other athletes, Hobbs strives to be successful at both of his sports and he knows that he has to be willing to put in the time to achieve that.
“It takes showing up every practice and working as hard as you can,” he said. “The thing that motivates me the most is myself, because I always strive to be better than what I was the day before.”
Throughout his career, Aven has made a lot of memories that he will remember long after he graduates. But, as he looks back, there are a couple that stand out as his favorite.
“My highlight moment would be getting a 97-yard kick return against our rival Enid,” he recalled. “Another would be when we beat Putnam City West in double overtime in front of our home crowd.”
Hobbs knows that his teammates have also played a role in his development as an athlete and as a person.
“The teammate that I like to practice against the most is Jace Schneeberger,” he said. “He would always practice hard no matter what and that always pushed me to practice hard as well. I think one of our more underrated players would have to be Mathew Blancuzzi, because I don’t think he’s missed a practice this year and he always works hard.”
