By Frankie Mansfield
Edited by Michaela Mitchell
I was born in Nevada but have spent most of my 23 years in South Carolina watching and playing as many sports as I could.
In high school, football, basketball and baseball took up most of my time, so perhaps it's no surprise I developed a strong interest in sports journalism and in being able to offer my thoughts and opinions on the games I dedicated most of my adolescence to.
I've spent the past few years at the University of South Carolina developing my writing and reporting skills. I also interned with The State newspaper covering local stories and high school sports. It gave me valuable hands-on experience and it helped me realize how much I enjoy covering amateur athletics. The young athletes' excitement and genuine appreciation of my work made the job rewarding. I suppose I live vicariously through their stories and accomplishments.
I like keeping up with athletes' lives outside of the games as well. Spending time learning their stories outside of strictly sports can make for interesting features.
In the next few years, I'd like to continue covering amateur athletics, starting with high school sports, but working my way up to covering a major college program. The spirit and passion involved with college sports is really special to me.
My goal is to use words to paint pictures for people to see what I see and get to feel the same feelings I have.
