Name: Sunny Bennion
School: Sugar-Salem
Grade: Senior
Sport: Soccer/football
Position: Center midfield/kicker

When Sugar-Salem lost its star athlete Crew Clark to a season-ending injury, Head Coach Tyler Richins needed a lock down place kicker. Enter Sunny Bennion, a starter on the Digger girls soccer team and daughter of defensive coordinator Dan Bennion. 

In her second game with the Diggers, Bennion nailed the game-winning extra point in overtime, helping Sugar-Salem defeat Marsh Valley 7-6. At halftime, Bennion had been named Homecoming Queen. 

How did you first get interested in football and soccer?
I have played soccer since I was a kid and the older I got, the more competitive it got and I started to enjoy it more. This is my first year playing football. I have always been around the sport since my two older brothers played. I starting kicking when I was a freshman, but Sugar always had really good kickers so I never joined the team. Then, Crew Clark got hurt, so Coach Richins approached me and ask me to come kick.

If you play other sports, which is your favorite and why?
Along with soccer and football I also play basketball and softball. It is hard to pick a favorite sport because my favorite sport is whatever season I am in. But I would probably pick soccer.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from high school sports?
The difficulty of the task does not determine the effort you put in it. No matter how hard or easy the task is, you give it your best effort. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“It was never about you anyway.” I got this advice from my dad. He taught me to put the team first and be unselfish. When you step on the field you have a different mind set, it is not about your own success but about the success of the team.

What has been your favorite high school memory so far?
My favorite memory in high school is also my favorite thing about sports, my teammates and the times spent together.

What coaches or teachers have made the biggest impact on your athletic career?
My soccer coach, Coach Terry, not only does he hold us accountable for things we do on the field but for what and who we are off the field. 

Which teammates have you really connected with during high school?
Sydney Bradshaw. I played softball and basketball with her and she always worked really hard and was competitive in everything she did but always made it so fun. She was a couple grades older then me and  wasn’t afraid to reach out to an underclassmen, she taught me how to be a great teammate. 

Is there anyone in your family who have helped you get to where you are today?
My Mom and Dad. They have been there through everything and supporting me in whatever choice I make. My mom especially has set a great example by showing me that you can accomplish hard things by just putting your head down and working hard for it. 

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
My real name is Brooklyn, Sunny is my middle name.

What are you most looking forward to this season?
Winning!