Tauryn Cummings has been busy since she stepped on campus as a freshman.
At Summer Creek, Cummings doesn't have time to take a break. She goes from volleyball straight into basketball – which she helped reach the state tournament for the first time last year – and then transitions to softball.
Cummings has literally played high school sports from the beginning of August to the end of May for the past four years.
VYPE caught up with Cummings at the 2020 VYPE Baseball and Softball Photoshoot for this Q&A, which appears in the 2020 VYPE Baseball/Softball Preview.
VYPE: When did you decide you were going to play three sports all through high school?
Cummings: I decided that in the eighth grade. In the seventh grade, I really didn't like volleyball. I just did it for my mom. Then in eighth grade I saw that I was kind of good at volleyball. I've always loved basketball because I loved the sport. When I got in eighth grade, I was like 'how about if I played all three?' I talked to my mom and she said, 'I've never known anybody to do something like that'. I was like 'I want to change the game'.
VYPE: What has playing three different sports taught you about yourself?
Cummings: I've noticed I can do more than I think I can. All three sports have challenged me mentally, physically and emotionally. I can push beyond any boundary that I ever thought I could ever reach. Going through all three sports I was able to become bigger in the city, bigger in every sport and it's just teaching me to go get whatever I want.
VYPE: How appreciative are you of your coaches in all three sports and the people who have helped you on this journey?
Cummings: I'm appreciative of all my coaches and coaching staffs. Coach [Sarah] Aguilar, she's helped me become a more mature person and open to being put in new situations. Coach [Carlesa] Dixon, she's helped me to learn how to be aggressive when it's time to be aggressive, and how to stay calm during situations when things are all over the place. Coach [Gabe] Castillo has helped me learn more about softball and have a bigger knowledge of the game … I think all of them have helped me develop the person I am today. Also, my mom helps me guide my way through everything. When something goes wrong, she's always there for me. I think everybody that has been in my circle since my freshman year have played a big role in all my success and accomplishments.
VYPE: When you walk out of Summer Creek, are you hoping to be a role model for young athletes that want to play multiple sports?
Cummings: When we go to Woodcreek (MS) and West Lake (MS), I tell kids that anything is possible. If you want it, go get it. Especially the girls in volleyball, they are like 'I don't know if I can do this'. I just tell them it's possible. I'm a person who will never play volleyball or basketball after high school, but if you want it you can go get it. I also tell them just be open-minded. A close-minded person is not the easiest person to work with. But if you're open-minded, anything is possible. Coming into Summer Creek, I wanted to leave here knowing I did my job and I put Summer Creek on the map. I want people to remember me for all the good things I've done and try to help kids and help young females to become great leaders in life.