By Derrick Smith
Athletes put in a lot of hard work to be the best they can be at their chosen sport or sports. And while they enjoy playing the sport, it is nice to see that work pay off. Malachi Epperson says that seeing the rewards of his work is a really great feeling.
“The highlight moment in my high school career would be when I placed second in the state powerlifting meet,” he said. “It showed just how much work I did in the weight room. It was awesome to know that I earned that myself.”
A senior at Wyandotte Public Schools, Epperson is a member of the school’s football and powerlifting teams. He is also a member of the thousand-pound club. As the only senior on this years football team, Malachi feels the pressure to be a leader amongst his teammates.
“One thing that motivates me is knowing that I’m the only senior playing football,” he said. “And I know that I need to step up and be the leader that the former seniors have always been to me.”
Becoming the player that he is today has taken work, but Epperson knows that he would not have been able to do it alone.
“It has taken a lot of hard work over the years,” he said. “In the weight room and on the football practice field. I have had some great coaches and teammates, but my parents would have to be the biggest influences on my life. They are always there for me and I would not be who or where I am today without them.”
As an athlete at Wyandotte, Malachi says that his school has a few different rivalries. But he says that there is one that is probably the biggest.
“We have quite a few rivals that we play,” he said. “But one of our favorites is the Fairland Owls because it is the next town over so we always have a big crowd from our school and from the other team as well. And it is usually a good game.”
When he is on his social media, Malachi likes to follow a specific group of people because of another love that he has.
“I like to follow a lot of country artists on social media because when I’m not playing football or working, I enjoy playing the guitar and writing music.”
