Senior Vessa Pearsall knows one thing: perseverance pays off. Since she was just a young girl  Vessa dreamed of finding a way to stand out, she wanted to be different, she wanted to be someone that would be remembered.  She has worked hard to achieve her dreams. Since she joined high school sports Pearsall realized that she had found her thing.

“I just love athletics. I love the feeling that you can always give more, there is no limit, you can always do better than your best,” said Pearsall.

She joined the Nordic ski team in seventh grade not knowing what to expect, yet she quickly came to love the sport.

“Something about the sport just really clicked with me,” said Pearsall. “It’s not just the physical exertion I like, it’s the community and people surrounding the sport of Nordic that makes it really stick out from other sports.”

One of those people is World Cup skier, Jessie Diggins. Diggins was a junior on the ski team when Pearsall first joined.

“To me she was like a God. She was so good that sometimes she would race with the guys for better competition. And the best part was, no matter what she always had a smile on her face. She was someone that really stuck out,” said Pearsall.

Pearsall  has found a way to stand out and shine like her idol Diggings has.

“I think what makes Pearsall really stick out on the Nordic team is not so much her being a great skier, it is the admiration, her work ethic and perseverance. If Vessa does not achieve something at first, she will try and try again until she reaches her goal. She is an unstoppable force and I believe this season will show that,” said Nordic  head coach Kris Hansen.

This is Pearsall’s last year on the SAHS Nordic team, and she plans on making it her best. She wants to be in the top ten in the state.  She is not the only extraordinary skier from Stillwater, junior Megan Weaver gives her a run for her money.

“Vessa really helps me become a better skier. It is good to have fast competition so then you can set your goals high and hopefully achieve them. Vessa is always pushing me, and once I do achieve my goals, she sets higher ones,” said Weaver.

Pearsall not only has high goals for skiing, she also sets high goals academically.

“My competitive nature on off of skis really helps me academically I always try my best in school and will settle for nothing else,” said Pearsall.

Pearsall is on the honor role and has been student of the month for skiing. She has been able to balance out skiing and academics.

Keep an eye out this year  for Pearsall as she strives for the top in not only skiing, but also academics.