Intramural Athlete of the Week: February 5-9

Sydney Hampton 

Freshmen Class

Playoffs are moments for stars to shine and leaders to rise. Sydney Hampton was that and more, leading the freshmen in scoring over Lambda in the semifinals. Hampton was also a huge defensive standout, collecting steals and using fast breaks to her advantage. With a big finals match to come against a Theta team that features two former athletes of the week, expect Hampton to step up once again.

1. What is it like playing with the freshmen?

It’s really fun. I transferred in this semester and didn’t know a lot of people coming in, so getting to be a part of intramurals and create those friendships is so much fun, especially when I’m doing something I really love. It’s great.

2. That was a huge semifinal win for the freshmen. One thing that made the game so interesting was you spent a lot of the game matched up against your sister on the court. What was that dynamic like?

Originally, neither team planned on us guarding each other; we both know each other’s strengths and weaknesses too well. But in the end, the plans changed. It still ended up being fun. I think she’s still a little mad at me, but we’re all right.

3. Going into the finals, you are going to be playing against a solid team from Theta. Any thoughts about that?

We played them before, and we did pretty well against them. They have a couple fast girls, good posts, but so do we. And I think we’re all pretty excited to play them again and prove to them that we are the better team.

Cade Berkey 

Kappa Sigma Tau

Freshman athletic director Landon Parker had the best reaction to Cade Berkey’s performance: “Where did this guy come from?” 

Berkey has an interesting story, joining Oklahoma Christian as a freshman before transferring away, then returning over a year later. But the real story of Berkey is an incredible athletic performance, leading  Kappa to win the 1 seed for A league playoffs. Playoffs for the men’s A league are on Feb. 13: expect Berkey to step up once again. 

1. Tell me what it is like coming in: It is the last game in the regular season, and you only just joined the club. What is going through your head right now?

Honestly, what’s going on right now is we got a great victory. Obviously, we could not do it without our team, you know, this group of guys I love. I love the Chi guys too, each and every one of them. But I love that we got a victory, and it was all because of the team.

2. You have an interesting story here at Oklahoma Christian. You came here for a year, then left for a year and a half. Where have you been?

Church things. I’ve got a job I love, currently a youth minister. And that’s what’s been keeping me away. It’s a good thing, but sometimes I like to come back and just hang out with my friends.

3. For playoffs, you guys are rematching the freshmen. They didn’t play the best against Kappa the first time without you, but they’ve only gotten better since. With your job and all, are you even going to be there?

I don’t know. We’ll have to look at the schedule and just see. But as far as I know, I would love to be there. If something happens, I’ll have to go with my job. But if I can, I’ll do whatever I can to try and make it for that game.