Elissa Neese
Elissa Joy Neese is one of the two 2021 slow-pitch softball seniors with Madill High School. She is the daughter of Lee and Tarrah Avery and granddaughter of Donnie and Julie Hasten of Sulphur, Okla., Terry and Joyce Avery of Spiro, Okla. and Judy Neese of Benbrook Texas. She has four siblings; two brothers named Andrew Neese and Morgan Avery, and two sisters named Brianna Neese and Katey Avery.
Head Coach Shawn Runyan said she consistently shows determination.
“This is her first year to play softball,” Runyan said. “Even though she was behind in experience, she gave it her all everyday even the running the crunches, whatever, she tried her hardest at it.”
Neese stays busy with all of the sports she participates in, which include cross country, track, Madill Varsity Cheerleading, Oklahoma Outlaws Competitive Cheerleading, slow pitch softball, and powerlifting. She placed first in the Girls’ Powerlifting 123lb. and below. She has also been a part of the All-Ardmoreite Cheer squad 2020 and 3X All-American Cheerleader.
She has played the clarinet for the past five years for the Madill High School band. She, along with her other band mates, received superior rating at Concert Band State 2021 and Superior rating for marching band 2020.
Beside playing sports, Neese is a member of the National Honor Society and the Gifted and Talented group. She also has placed in several Scholastic Meets. She took third place in Geometry in 2018, and first in Trigonometry in 2020, NCA 2020 Senior Level 3.2.
Neese said she has a few favorite memories from high school.
“Lifting in the weight room and winning NCA in 2020.”
She has had many coaches over the years, and said she is forever grateful for their persistence in molding her into who she is today.
“Thank you for pushing me to be my best and investing your time and energy in me,” she said. “It all has made me who I am today! Thank you and love you!”
Neese said she loves all the family support she has received.
“I also want to tell my family I love you all and a special shout out to my mom for taking me to all of my many events and paying for them as well,” she said. “Thank you for enabling me to be involved in anything I wanted to be in. Love you.”
Her plans after high school are to attend Oklahoma Baptist University and Cheer for the Bison along with majoring in Biology and then later going to med school at OU.
Coach Molly Raley said Neese has a bright future ahead of her.
“We are so happy and excited that Elissa decided to come play with us her senior year,” Raley said. “She has been a joy to be around. She always has the best attitude and will do whatever she is asked. I can’t wait to see what this lady does in their future.”