Rivalries are a part of sports at all levels. For some people, rivalries are intense, and they take them very seriously. On the other hand, there are some that enjoy the competition and gameplay that the contest brings. Catoosa’s Belle Arp has one opponent that she enjoys playing against the most, even though it may not be considered a rival.
“I would have to say my favorite opponent on the soccer field would have to be Wagoner,” Arp stated. “They always come to play, and they are just as competitive as we are.”
Arp is a senior and plays center mid for the Lady Indians soccer team. She has worked hard to become the player that she is today, but she says that her motivation is more than just about herself.
“Having great teammates is something that really motivates me,” she said. “When you have teammates that back you and support you the way that mine do, it makes you want to work and compete harder. The success that I have been able to achieve comes from wanting to be better and be a resilient player.”
Belle enjoys the bond that she and her teammates have but she says that there is one teammate that she enjoys battling in practice the most.
“I would have to say that Faith Hopkins is someone that I enjoy going up against,” she stated. “She is a really competitive person and going against her makes me a better player.”
The team as a whole does a solid job of encouraging and valuing each player, but there is one player that Arp thinks may fly under the radar.
“I think we are pretty good about showing appreciation for our players,” she said. “I would say that maybe Joanna Cottle doesn’t always get the recognition she deserves. She works hard and motivates those around her to do the same.”
Throughout her career, Belle has enjoyed some memorable moments with her team. But out of all of them, she says that there is one that stands out the most.
“A highlight of my career would have to be when we won the soccer tournament that we hosted my sophomore year,” she recalled. “We beat some good teams and it was a really great feeling.”
