JEFF FIELDER Editor
MORRILL – Libbie Schaefer, a senior at Morrill High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Schaefer is in her fourth year as a starter on the Lions basketball team. She’s a versatile player as she’s seen game action at forward, post and guard. Morrill is currently 4-1 on the season. Schaefer also excelled in volleyball as a middle hitter, starting all four years of high school. Also at school, Schaefer is president of FFA, and she’s involved in FBLA. She has a 4.0 GPA this school year. Outside of school, she’s involved in the youth group at SONrise Church in Torrington. After she graduates from Morrill High, she plans to attend either Eastern Wyoming College or McCook Junior College. She wants to pursue a degree in either vet tech or animal science. Her parents are Todd and Laura Schaefer. For being named an Athlete of the Week, Libbie will receive a gift card for a free drink at Scooter’s Coffee.
Q: Talk about how the basketball season has started for the Morrill girls basketball team.
SCHAEFER: “It’s started off really good. We’ve bonded really well, and I think we’re doing a good job of pushing the ball down the court. We’re senior heavy, so that’s always a good thing.”
Q: What are your expectations for this basketball season?
SCHAEFER: “I really think we can win a lot of games. We’re going to keep progressing. I can already see our younger girls progressing, so that’s a big thing.”
Q: What do you think is the key for this year’s team to have success?
SCHAEFER: “I think just sticking together as a team. We’re like a big family, so if we keep the drama out, we’ll keep getting better.”
Q: What are your individual goals this season?
SCHAEFER: “Really, I just want to get better. Even in the first few games, I’ve improved as far as scoring and rebounding. I’ve always had confidence in myself, but I think it’s up more this year.”
Q: How does it feel to be one of the senior leaders on the team?
SCHAEFER: “I love helping the younger girls progress. I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty good leader, but that’s one of the things I want to keep improving on. I want to help the younger girls as much as I can.”
Q: How much fun is it having a handful of other seniors on the team?
SCHAEFER: “It’s awesome. We’ve grown up playing together since third grade. We’ve bonded so well. It’s super exciting.”
Q: How do you feel like the volleyball season went overall this fall?
SCHAEFER: “I think we improved a lot. The coaches really helped us improve. I had a lot of fun this year.”
Q: Which sport do you like better – volleyball or basketball?
SCHAEFER: “I’ve always liked basketball more. I like being physical.”
Q: How exciting would it be to play basketball in college?
SCHAEFER: “That would be super exciting. Ever since I was in elementary school, I’ve wanted to go on to play in college, so if I got that opportunity, that would mean a lot to me.”
Q: Why are you considering going to college at either EWC or McCook?
SCHAEFER: “I’ve talked to the McCook coach a lot. He’s a great guy, and I think he’s a good coach. With EWC, it’s pretty close to home, and they have a really good vet tech program, which is what I want to do. Plus, their basketball team is pretty good. Their coach is super nice, too.”
Q: What got you interested in vet tech?
SCHAEFER: “I’ve grown up on a ranch, so I’ve been around animals my whole life. I want to be able to help animals with their issues. And since I’ve been around when we’ve taken animals to the vet, I can see how being a vet really helps.”
Q: What’s your favorite animal?
SCHAEFER: “My favorite animal to show is probably steers, and my favorite animal in general is either cattle or horses.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Morrill?
SCHAEFER: “I’ve really enjoyed it. Morrill is like one, big family. All the parents really try to get involved in their kids’ lives. I really love how I can talk to any of the parents. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Q: How has your senior year of school been going overall?
SCHAEFER: “It’s been going well. I have six classes, so it’s a typical school year because of that.”
Q: What’s your favorite non-sports activity at school?
SCHAEFER: “FFA, for sure. I’m president of FFA. I’ve been in FFA all four years. I really enjoy being around the people who are involved in it. It’s not just for ag people, either. It’s taught me a lot of skills that I’ll use in the future. FFA is kind of like my sports teams – we’re like a family.”
Q: How does it feel to have a 4.0 GPA so far this school year?
SCHAEFER: “It’s super exciting. I haven’t always had a 4.0, so this year I’ve strived to keep a 4.0. To me, school comes first.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
SCHAEFER: “I like to ride my horses and hang out with family and friends.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
SCHAEFER: “Country.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
SCHAEFER: “I don’t really watch TV much.”
Q: What is one thing that you wish people would do more often?
SCHAEFER: “I think a lot of people stress too much, so I wish more people would kind of live in the moment and smile more and not stress as much.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
SCHAEFER: “I would say Anne Jacobsen. She was my fourth-grade teacher. She’s always been there for me, even after I got out of her classroom. She showed me how to be a great person.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Morrill High School?
SCHAEFER: “Paityn Homan. She’s a junior. She’s friends with everyone. She’s always laughing and smiling.”
Q: What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled to?
SCHAEFER: “California. When I was younger, my parents took us to Disneyland.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
SCHAEFER: “Ole [in Scottsbluff].”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Morrill, which one would it be and why?
SCHAEFER: “There’s a lot of businesses in Morrill that are great. They’re all very supportive.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
SCHAEFER: “Yes, I have an older sister [Madie Schaefer] and an older brother [Rusty Schaefer].”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC – American Family Insurance, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
