Meet A Bulldog: Rebecca Speight

Over the past several years, Rebecca Speight, who has been a full-time varsity player for Nash Central since her sophomore year, has been integral to the success of the Lady Bulldogs basketball program, who have a current record of 14-3 this season with a 3-1 mark in the Big East conference. To add on to this, Nash Central has won 61% of its games during the span of Speight’s varsity career.

With this being said, Speight has been able to achieve much team and individual success as well, and when she was asked to share what she would consider her greatest athletic accomplishment to be, she illustrated just how successful her career has been, saying, “I would say my greatest athletic achievement would be either winning the Cleveland Christmas tournament last year or having a double-double against Hunt last year.”

Also, while Speight is an extremely adept basketball player, it is the hard work and effort that she has exerted for the sport of basketball that has made all the difference throughout her career. Additionally, Speight is especially driven and motivated to succeed, and she certainly had the right team-oriented ideals in mind as she says, “The thing that drives me to succeed athletically right now is probably the thought that if we all do what we’re supposed to do, we could be a really good team. I want people to remember this team and to remember me as a part of it.”

Furthermore, besides her great skill and work ethic, the role models that Speight has looked up to during the course of her athletic career have significantly influenced her quality of play, and, although, Speight is an adroit basketball talent, her love for the sport of hockey was evinced as she said, in regards to her athletic role models, “My role model in terms of athletics is either Ron Francis or Rod Brind’amour. They were both great hockey players and always did whatever it took to win and to be the best that they could be. With that mentality, you can get really far in life and they both led teams to be Stanley Cup Champions.”

Ron Francis and Rod Brind’amour were both illustrious winners during their hockey careers, and Speight viewing them as her role models manifests her will and desire to win, and she clearly exemplified her winning mentality through this quote.

Moreover, with the end of her celebrated high school career near, Speight definitely has the opportunity to play at the collegiate level. However, Speight, who plans to attend Liberty Univerisity this upcoming fall, says “I do not plan to play basketball in college right now, but things could change. I don’t see anyone offering me a spot at the school I plan to attend, Liberty University, but if it were to happen I would consider playing.” Also, at Liberty Univeristy, which is located in Lynchburg, VA, Speight plans on majoring in athletic training as she aspires to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Essentially, Rebecca Speight has played a key role for the Nash Central Lady Bulldogs basketball program for the past few seasons, and, when it is all said and done, Speight will certainly be able to look back at what she has been able to accomplish and rejoice in her success.