Senior Profile: Sutfin active on and off the field

For Corning High senior Raylee Sutfin, there was never any doubt in her mind what sports she was going to play in high school.

Neither does she doubt how much she will miss that part of her life once her high school days are over.

"Playing sports for Corning, it's one of the things I'll miss the most," said the 17-year-old resident of Flournoy.

"Most of my high school memories, if not all of them, are about playing here. We have a lot of pride in what we do."

Sutfin has played field hockey all four years, is in her third year of soccer and will play her fourth season of softball in the spring. She said her competitive nature is something she has possessed since being very young, and that it has been spurred by a healthy dose of sibling rivalry.

"I started playing T-ball when I was little and I have an older sister — whatever she did I always wanted to be better. I knew what I was going to play because it is what I grew up around."

Sutfin was a mid-fielder for the Lady Cardinals' field hockey team, plays stopper for the soccer team and is a second baseman/outfielder on the softball diamond. Of the three sports she plays, it's no surprise to anyone familiar with Corning's field hockey program that it is her favorite sport.

"I kind of fell in love with the game and everything about it," she said of the game that still has a large following at CUHS, and it is a sport the girls don't just "play" — they all love it.

Teresa Lamb, Sutfin's field hockey coach, described her as a team player and a leader.

"She wants to do what is right for the team and herself, plus she's a positive influence. She comes to practice even if she's sick," Lamb said.

As to whether Sutfin's competitive qualities will carry over to success in life, the coach laughed, "Oh, when she puts her mind to something, she's going to get it done."

Sports has been an avenue where Sutfin has not only gained the healthy benefits of physical exercise and conditioning, but where she has embraced the leadership role. She was a captain on the field hockey team and serves the same role on the soccer pitch.

"Sports helps you learn how to do things and be able to keep up," she explained of the rigors involved with maintaining her grades while balancing her time among studying, practicing and playing.

"It pressures you, but in a good way. I don't procrastinate because I know there's no time to," Sutfin said.

As hectic as her schedule can be, Sutfin's life is far from "all work and no play."

And by the way she asserts herself into whatever game she is playing, it comes as no surprise that her hobbies don't include many sedentary pursuits.

"I'm an aggressive person," she described herself, "I snowboard, ride dirt bikes and ride horses. I'm easy-going but I'm also a pretty blunt person. I'm not shy and I don't hold back."

While many seniors at least have an idea of what they want to do after high school, Sutfin has not procrastinated when it comes to her future plans.

She stated she is going to Butte College for her general education requirements, and then onto California State University, Chico for undergraduate work toward eventually becoming a veterinarian.

Her approach to life seems to mirror her approach to competitive sports — don't get in her way or you'll probably get knocked over.

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.