Throughout our lives, there are people that can play a role in shaping us into the person we are and will become.

Some of these people may be a part of our everyday lives, while others may be people that we watch from a distance.

Tucker Winfrey has a couple of people that he says are role models in his life.

“My papa is the biggest influence on my life,” he said. “He has taught me how to live my life right. He has not just taught me, but he has also shown me in the way he lives his life. An athlete that I look up to is Marvin Mims, a wide receiver at the University of Oklahoma. I strive to be a football player like him one day.”

Tucker Winfrey plays football, basketball, and baseball for Vinita High School. The senior is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society.

As an athlete, Winfrey wants to be successful in each of his sports, but he knows that in order to do that, he has to be willing to put in the time and sacrifices.

“It takes a lot of time and hard work in order to be successful, no matter what you are doing,” he said. “Motivation is also a big key. And for me, the motivation is winning.”

Vinita’s head boys basketball coach, Tony Roach says that Winfrey has been a good player for the Hornets and he expects the same this season.

“Tucker has been a three-year starter for the Hornets,” he said. “He has played every position on the floor at some point in time. He is also a very good defender as well. I look for him to be a big contributor this season as well.”

Tucker and his teammates play a number of teams during his sports seasons, but he has one team that he enjoys beating the most.

“Grove is probably the school I live to go up against the most,” he said. “I have been playing against them for ten years and it is fun to beat them. Probably the highlight of my career came against Grove. I caught a touchdown pass on the first play of the game against Grove. It was great.”