Jenks’ Rebekah Rice

Jenks High School junior Rebekah Rice sees the midfield as a place where poise, vision and stamina all collide, and that challenge is exactly what draws her to the game.

A varsity midfielder for the Lady Trojans, Rice said the demands of her position force her to stay locked in from the opening whistle to the final minute. “The toughest part about midfield is how busy it is,” Rice said. “There is always a player coming at you, having to be aware of your surroundings constantly can be mentally challenging. In the midfield there is also a lot of short sprints that add up and become physically demanding.”

That constant activity fits Rice’s greatest strength. She believes her understanding of the sport helps her make smart decisions in tight moments and keeps her connected to the flow of the match. “The strength of my game is definitely my understanding of the game,” Rice said. “I am a very smart player, and I make good decisions on and off the ball.”

Even with that confidence, Rice said she is still pushing to improve. Her focus is fitness, with the goal of sustaining a high level of play for an entire match. “I want to be able to play at a high level the entire game, not just short bursts,” she said.

Rice said her connection to Jenks goes beyond wearing the school colors on game day. Representing the Lady Trojans gives her a stronger bond with the school and adds meaning to every match. “Representing Jenks is special for me because it’s where I feel truly connected to my school,” Rice said. “It combines my passion for my sport with the pride of my school, and it pushes me to be better on and off the field.”

She also values the culture surrounding the team. Rice said the bond she shares with her teammates is rooted in friendship and faith. “What I love most about my team and teammates at Jenks is the bond that we have through Christ,” Rice said. “I love having a full team of best friends who are all consistently working for each other.”

For Rice, soccer is not just about controlling the midfield. It is about representing her school, trusting her teammates and continuing to grow every time she steps on the field.