Imagine participating in a sport for 10 years and then suddenly getting a major injury that stops you from playing.

This is exactly what happened to senior Sydney Parrish, who played basketball up through freshman year until a knee surgery stopped her from playing any longer. Without being able to pursue basketball, Parrish wasn’t sure what to do. In May of 2015, she found the answer.

“I joined the [high school] golf team because I started playing last May and my older brother played college golf,” Parrish said. “I love to compete and could no longer play basketball, so I decided to play golf.”

Recently Parrish was awarded the Missourian Athlete of the Week, as well as the KLPW athlete of the week. She received news about winning the Missourian award around the end of August and the KLPW award on Sept. 11. Parrish was not told firsthand about either award.

“[With the Missourian] teachers were congratulating me down the hallway and I had no idea I won it until then,” Parrish said. “[With KLPW] my coach texted me and informed me.”

Parrish has worked hard to succeed and feels like her hard work is being recognized.

“I have put in extreme amounts of hard work, and it’s really fun to see it pay off,” Parrish said.

As one of two seniors and the number one spot holder, Parrish is in a leadership position, which helped her gain the Missourian award.

“I received Missourian Athlete of the Week for leading our team to an undefeated start to our season,” Parrish said.

After just a year and a half, Parrish has committed to Indiana State on a scholarship for golf. This scholarship allows her to play for a Division I school, as well as covers some of the cost of her tuition.

“I’m extremely honored and blessed,” Parrish said, “to have won both athletes of the week and be given a scholarship to a Division I school.”