For Clinton High School senior Emma McComas, soccer has always been a constant, but her journey has been anything but smooth. “I began playing soccer when I was three years old and have played ever since,” she shared. But it wasn’t a straight path. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Emma took three years off to navigate her health. Her return to the sport in her sophomore year of high school marked the beginning of her school ball career, and she hasn’t looked back since.

While many athletes credit a role model or influence for their love of the game, for Emma, soccer is all about the joy it brings her. “I don’t think anyone inspired me to play soccer, I just continued to fall in love with the sport,” she said. The connection she shares with her teammates makes the game even more special. “Just being able to play with my friends is good enough for me.”

This season, Emma is ready to lead her team as a forward, focusing on perfecting her runs and crosses. Her goals are simple but ambitious: “My biggest goal for this season is to win it all. But that can only be done if we work together this season.”

Emma’s path hasn’t been without challenges. “The most challenging time in soccer was probably last season. I had a ruptured tendon then hurt my shoulder, so I was out a lot of the season,” she reflected. But her perseverance has been key. “I overcame that by remembering it is only temporary, and I can play this season.”

Beyond the field, Emma values the friendships she has formed through soccer. “I am most proud of the friendships I have made,” she said. Her AP Psychology teacher, Mrs. Olney, has also been a pivotal figure for her. “She has been kind of my safe space at school and helped me through some really hard times.”

With her sights set on pursuing a degree in communications in science to become a speech pathologist, Emma is embracing her final high school season, ready to make every moment count.