Avery Luke represents Kemper Academy

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Sometimes a photo really does tell the story, even years later. That is certainly the case of Avery Luke. 

The Kemper Academy senior is such an accomplished athlete that she was chosen to take part in the MAIS All-Star Fast-Pitch Softball game that was held at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland early last week. But to understand how she made it that far it only takes a glance at a photo her mother Tracy still holds dear some 13 years later. 

It’s a photo of nearly 4-year-old Avery dressed up in the proper attire to go to dance, with long curls draped down her back and a softball bat firmly in her grip, “I think I’ve always played,” Luke said. “It’s all I can remember. I just really love to play it.” 

Luke also plays basketball and enjoys hunting and fishing. When asked what were her favorite hobbies outside of sports, she thought a minute and said with a soft laugh, “I don’t think I have any.” 

Luke has played varsity softball for Kemper Academy since the sixth grade with her father Robert assuming the coaching duties in her seventh grade year. During that time she has played multiple po- sitions on an as-needed basis, but favors pitching and playing second. 

There was one point in her career where the team’s catcher was out and it was dependent upon her and KA’s other pitcher to take turns pitching and catching. “It does make you see things a little differently,” the 17-year-old said of being behind the plate instead of firing the ball toward home from inside the circle. 

Luke said she’s not totally through with softball, hoping to get tryouts for some college teams, but her mind is also on her future outside of sports. 

She hopes to study speech pathology in college. “I like the idea of helping kids,” she said. 






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