Records broken. History made. Bailey White dominated both the court and the course, becoming Allderdice’s all-time leading scorer and setting a new city cross country record. Get an inside look at how Bailey balanced the demanding life of a multi-sport student-athlete, and the lessons she learned along the way.
How did you get started playing sports as a kid?
I developed an interest in sports at a very young age, mostly because of my dad, who has always been very involved in athletics as both a player and a coach. My parents made sure my siblings and I were exposed to multiple sports, including baseball, soccer, softball, cross country, and track & field. I started playing baseball at 3 and basketball around 4 or 5. By first grade, I was already participating in cross country and track & field, and I also spent some time playing soccer and softball.
As I got older, I found that I especially enjoyed basketball, cross country, and track & field. I played on multiple AAU basketball teams, which helped me grow and improve as an athlete. Over time, I chose to focus on those three sports, and through that commitment, I was able to develop my skills and achieve a lot as an athlete
When did you discover that track, cross country, and basketball were your favorite sports?
I discovered in middle school that basketball and track were my favorite sports, and going into high school I knew I wanted to stick with those, along with cross country. I really enjoyed all three and felt like they were the right fit for me. Being part of those teams helped me build a lot of friendships and strong relationships with my coaches. The basketball, track, and cross country teams are all really close, which made it easy to bond with people and feel like I belonged.
Throughout high school, I’ve met so many people and grown especially close with my teammates and coaches. Not just during practices, games, and meets, but outside of sports too. Those three sports were where I performed my best, and choosing to follow what I enjoyed most turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Now I’m continuing in college with what I love to do, running, which I’ve already committed to, and I’m also hoping to join the basketball team as well.
How does track and cross country help you in basketball?
Running in general, both track and cross country has taught me how to push through even when my legs are burning and my body is telling me to stop. That mindset carries over to basketball, where I’m able to stay focused and keep my energy up. During timeouts or breaks, I still feel ready and motivated to get back out there. In those last few minutes of the game, when everyone’s exhausted, I feel confident that I still have more in me to finish the game. It’s all mental and you have to have the mentality to keep going and pushing yourself.
How does basketball help you in track and cross country?
I’ve always been really competitive, and that mindset carries over from basketball into my running. I’ve learned that running isn’t just about going fast, it also takes strategy, just like basketball.
In basketball, one of the things we do is watch film. I used that similar to running I like to pay attention to how others race, so I can go in with a plan. Instead of just trying to run hard, I focus on running smart. My competitiveness and preparation have helped me improve my focus, consistency, and overall a better runner.
What is your favorite memory from your high school athletics career?
I have a lot of great memories from my high school athletic career. One of the biggest things I’ll always remember is all the fun times, laughing with my teammates at practices, games, meets, and even on bus rides. Being part of three sports (basketball, cross country, and track) helped me build really strong bonds with so many people, and feel like family to me.
I’m also really proud of what I was able to accomplish. Breaking the all-time city course record in cross country is something I’ll never forget. Also, becoming the all-time leading scorer in Allderdice history, both girls and boys, and reaching 2,000 career points is something that means a lot to me. Those achievements are special, but what makes them even better is sharing those moments with my teammates along the way. Couldn’t have done it without my team and coaches.
What is a piece of advice you would give to a young student-athlete?
One of the biggest advice I would give is manage your time. Time management is something I had to work with, one thing I’ve always got told was that student comes before athlete. Handling two roles at once both “student” and “athlete” it’s harder if you don’t do it the correct way. Student-athletes usually have busy schedules, with classes, homework, practices, games, etc. It’s good to mange your time so you can keep up with your school work while still performing well in your sport. Another thing is take care of your body. Stretching, sleep, staying hydrated, and don’t ignore small injuries. Communication is also important, making sure you communicate with your teachers to make up the work that you missed for a game and/or meet.