Rylee Black, known to many as “Roo,” is building a reputation as a driven and disciplined varsity athlete whose mindset reflects both her upbringing and her team-first mentality.
A sophomore, Black credits her parents as her biggest inspiration. “They never quit when anything gets hard, and they push me and never allow me to settle for mediocre,” she said.
That standard has shaped how she approaches both academics and athletics, particularly in the classroom, where biology stands out as her favorite subject thanks to teachers Michaela Gordy and Chance Grider.
On the field, Black serves as a pitcher, a role that comes with both physical and mental challenges. She said the most difficult part is enduring the grind of multiple games in a row while maintaining consistency.
“The hardest thing is failing,” Black said. “Some days it might be because some of my pitches aren’t working, or because I don’t have 100% legs to push off of. But failing stinks. At the end of the day, I have to trust my training and learn how to handle those failures.”
That resilience is reinforced by a close-knit team culture. Having grown up playing together, Black said the group’s shared history fuels its competitive edge.
“I love how we are all elite-minded and we all compete, and I love even more that we have grown up together,” she said.
Her teammates also play a key role in keeping her grounded during high-pressure moments. Bailey Uhlenhake, whom Black describes as the most vocal player, provides constant communication and accountability.
“She’s always talking after every play, and she holds me accountable on the mound,” Black said. “Finley Lockwood always cracking jokes and making people laugh, and she’s my infield leader that calms me down.”
Black said one of her favorite aspects of the team is its ability to respond positively after adversity.
“How funny they are, and after a rough inning they never fail to build me up,” she said.
Despite the seriousness of competition, the team maintains its own traditions and simple philosophies. One superstition Black follows is never discussing a no-hitter midgame, a common belief among pitchers. At the plate, her approach is straightforward: “See ball, swing hard, hit ball.”
Off the field, Black stays active by giving pitching lessons, swimming and lifting weights, further demonstrating her commitment to continuous improvement.
She also highlighted teammate Adi Ford for her relentless hustle.
“Between sliding on the bases and diving in the outfield, she never has a clean spot on her uniform,” Black said.
Through her experiences, Black said she has learned lessons that extend beyond athletics.
“It has taught me how to be disciplined and to show up every day, regardless how I feel, and how to be on time,” she said.
