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Concordia Lutheran's Faith Keiper
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
To put her talents in perspective, this past Spring season, Keiper racked up nearly 150 strikeouts on the mound. At the plate she averaged an even .500, which included 14 RBIs and two home-runs to earn herself second-team, all-state honors.
Just how did she embark upon her prolific career?
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I’ve always played softball, since I was eight years old,” she said. “I started because my Dad was a baseball player, and I loved joining in on the fun with him and my brother.
Since then, my strength has always been pitching. After going to a sports psychologist, I’ve gotten into a routine on the mound. I focus on the spot that I intend for the ball to go, and I block everything else out. You have to keep checking on your mental game, otherwise you’ll go insane.”
The experience with sports psychology sparked an interest in pursuing that as a career path.
“Ideally, I want to go to a school that places emphasis on both my academics and softball,” said Keiper. “I’m really about school and I hate missing classes. I’ll get so stressed when I have to make up work.
If I can get into a program that allows me to put my studies first while also continuing my softball career would be the perfect situation for me.”
Surprisingly, Keiper’s strongest academic attribute doesn’t even come in the traditional sense.
“I don’t know if you would count this, but my favorite subject is art class,” she said. “I’m in Art IV-AP right now. I love to paint, typically depicting scenes in nature such as landscapes. It’s always been a passion of mine.”
But, back to softball. The Crusaders are coming off an impressive campaign, which saw them reach the TAPPS-D1 Regional Round, following their 10-0 thrashing over Nolan Catholic.
2023-24 Concordia Lutheran SoftballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
While they will be under new leadership in 2025, the presence of Concordia Lutheran’s star pitcher is unlikely to falter.
“My goal this season is to be a good teammate and perform the best that I can as a role model,” Keiper said. “Statistically speaking, I hope to pass the 200-strikeout mark and help to lead this team back to the playoffs. I also want to keep up my batting average, while I’m at it.”
Next Spring will mark Keiper’s final stretch of her high school career. Hopefully, all signs should point to it being her masterpiece
TWCA's Virginia Finley
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Growing up, I always wanted to go into the medical field because of my mom,” Finley shared. “She was an OBGYN here in The Woodlands, but she passed away just before my second birthday. As I got older, I knew medicine was something I wanted to pursue.”
That calling deepened during a life-altering period in her sophomore year.
“The year I joined the sports medicine program, my dad got really sick and had to go into hospice,” she said. “I spent a lot of time in the hospital with him. Watching people help each other in that environment truly inspired me to dive deeper into the medical field.”
Tragically, Finley lost her father last year. Now, she lives with her grandmother and aunt, carrying the lessons of her challenges with remarkable strength.
“It’s been tough,” she admitted. “But I try to make light of it and grow from it. Without those experiences, I wouldn’t have the mental fortitude I do now. With everything that’s happened, all I can do is keep moving forward.”
Yet, Finley’s journey into TWCA Sports Medicine wasn’t solely born of hardship.
2024-25 TWCA Sports MedicineBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I got interested in training because some friends encouraged me to join my sophomore year,” she said. “After that, I fell in love with helping athletes—on and off the field—with injury prevention and everything else we do.”
Her dual perspective as a trainer and athlete gives her a unique edge. When she’s not assisting on the sidelines, Finley plays softball for TWCA. But her athletic prowess doesn’t stop there.
She’s also a Kukkiwon-certified black belt in taekwondo.
“It’s kind of my biggest flex,” Finley laughed. “I studied under a five-time Olympic coach and trained alongside Olympians like Victoria Stambaugh and three-time World Champion Bianca Walkden.
“I eventually stopped training when I started here because I wanted to focus on school sports and have more freedom. But it’s one of my biggest accomplishments.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Looking ahead, Finley’s passion for sports medicine and helping others is steering her college ambitions.
“I’m considering Texas Lutheran or Texas State,” she said. “I want to continue in athletic training or maybe explore sports psychology. Through my experience, I’ve seen how athletes can struggle mentally when they’re injured. I want to be part of that recovery process and help them keep doing what they love.”
Despite the challenges she’s faced, Finley’s determination and optimism have made her an inspiration to those around her. Through her diverse experiences and indomitable spirit, Finley is destined to live out her dream of helping others—on and off the field.
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