Sapulpa’s Barrett Soares
Playing football is preparing Barrett Soares for adulthood. In football and life, things do not always come easily; one must put in the work and have perseverance to succeed. “Trust the process” is valuable advice to live by, he says.
Barrett is a junior and an outside linebacker for the Sapulpa Chieftain football team. The best feeling is being able to play with his teammates. “Having friends that look out for you and that you can also, in turn, look out for,” makes every moment of blood, sweat and tears out on the field worth it.
Watching his friends and teammates handle adversity inspires Barrett to stay positive and keep growing as a player. Eli Beck is a teammate Barrett is impressed by. “Eli has had to recover from an injury and still comes back and plays hard every day,” he said.
Barrett represents both SHS as an athlete and his community as a Sapulpa lifer. “I have grown up in Sapulpa and gone to school there my entire life. I am proud to represent my team when I get on the field.”
He finds inspiration in his family. “My parents have instilled in me the value of hard work.” This foundation prepared him to play the sport he always loved. “I have always wanted to play football. All my friends were playing, so I started playing in sixth grade.”
Barrett wants to thank a coach from junior high for giving him a strong foundation in football. Coach Shad Scarborough later took a job in Bixby, so Barrett is thankful to have had him as a coach when he did.
Athletes live for the excitement of big plays and the thrill of victory. Barrett remembers a game that brought on all those feelings. “When we beat Bartlesville in overtime, my first year on varsity last year.”
Barrett’s favorite teacher is Coach Dugan. History is his favorite subject. “I’ve always been fascinated by history, even as a kid,” said Barrett.
Even the most dedicated athlete needs to rest and relax. “I love to spend time with my friends, family and my dogs!” he says. His most memorable vacation was traveling to Mexico last summer. “It was the first time I got to use my passport!” he exclaimed.
Given the opportunity to play football in college, Barrett would love to continue his athletic pursuits; otherwise, he plans to attend the University of Oklahoma.
