Sports Locker • November/December 2024 • Natalie Shryock

Natalie Shryock’s love for sports runs deep, and it all began before she was even born. “My parents went to a Mizzou basketball game the night before I was born. Basketball has been part of my life ever since.” Now, as a senior at North Callaway High School, Natalie is a dual- sport athlete, excelling both as an outside hitter on the volleyball team and a shooting guard on the basketball court.

For Natalie, sports are about more than just the game. “I love the competition, but what I love most is the challenge of getting better every day.” Her journey with volleyball began her freshman year when she jumped straight into a varsity role with little time to learn the ropes. “It was a whirlwind, but it pushed me to grow quickly, and I’ve been chasing improvement ever since.”

On the basketball court, Natalie's love for the game goes back even further. “I started playing on a team called the Shooting Stars in kindergarten. We had the same group of girls all the way through junior high and high school." Her connection to the sport runs through her family, with a long history of attending Mizzou games with her grandparents, parents, and extended family. "Some of my first memories are from the Mizzou Arena. We'd all go to the games together—it’s something that really brought us close.”

Natalie’s competitive spirit has driven her to impressive heights. She’s led her basketball team in scoring every season since her freshman year, set records for 3-pointers in a game, season, and career, and achieved the milestone of scoring 1,000 points as a junior. Her success in volleyball has also earned her All-Conference honors and school records for kills. But despite her individual accomplishments, Natalie always keeps her focus on the team. “I want to be the kind of leader that younger girls look up to. I want my sister, Anna, and her teammates to be able to carry on the success we’ve built.” Anna is a freshman at North Callaway and follows in Natalie’s footsteps by playing both volleyball and basketball. Natalie’s brother, Grant, is also competitive, participating in football, basketball, and baseball. “They’re my biggest motivation. I want to set a good example for them, on and off the court.”

One of Natalie’s most memorable moments came during her junior year when she scored her 1,000th point. “My whole family made signs for me. Seeing my little cousins, aunts, uncles, and family friends there cheering me on made it an unforgettable night.” Family support has always been central to Natalie's success. Her parents, Mike and Karen, are fixtures in the stands at her games, along with both sets of grandparents who live nearby. "They never miss a game. Even though we're super competitive, my parents always make sure that I know how I play doesn't define me as a person. That takes the pressure off and lets me just enjoy the game."

Mike reflects on his daughter's achievements with pride. "We're so proud of Natalie and how hard she has worked. She's always been a leader by example, both in the classroom and on the court." With a 4.1 GPA, Natalie is as focused on her academics as she is on her sports, ranking second in her class. "It's not just about winning. She's put in the work, and it's paying off." Karen believes that teamwork has been key to her daughter's growth. "We've always told Natalie that being part of something bigger than yourself is what matters most. It's about being a great teammate and lifting each other up."

Looking ahead, Natalie has big plans. She's set her sights on a future in biochemistry and hopes to attend a large university, with aspirations to go on to medical school or physician's assistant school. But for now, her focus is on finishing strong in her senior year, and we have no reason to expect anything less.