Margo Rainey is strong on the soccer field, she’s strong in the classroom, and her faith is strong too. The Thomasville High School sophomore has quite the ability as a forward, and although young, she knows how to boost her team’s confidence on the field; she’s constantly encouraging those around her. Rainey plays a huge role in helping her team earn success, due in part to her genuine compassion for those around her.
Influenced by her mother, a former soccer player, Rainey gained interest in the sport at a young age. When she got older, she joined a club team in Savannah, where she lived at the time. She moved back to Thomasville (which is where she was born) when she was 11 years old. She continued to play on a club team in Thomasville. Travel soccer helped her gain a ton of experience on the field and allowed her to find another reason to pursue soccer.
“With our club team in Thomasville, we travel to Atlanta and other places around Georgia,” Rainey said. “I really like the friends I get to meet because we have people on our team from all over. I like traveling as a team and meeting new individuals, so I really enjoyed that part too in addition to playing.”
Since joining the THS team last Spring, she has already seen some success. Last year after winning region, they made it to the third round in the state playoffs. They were defeated by Greater Atlanta Christian; however, that season was the farthest the THS girls soccer team had ever made it in the state playoffs.
This season Rainey and her teammates hope to progress in the playoffs even more. No matter the outcome of the season, Rainey will keep a positive attitude and look to the next, but that certainly doesn’t mean she isn’t eager to score as much as possible this season. Getting the ball past the goalie is her strong point, and she is hungry on the field to get as many goals as possible.
“I love being able to get past the defenders,” Rainey said. “It’s a really thrilling feeling, and it adds another point for the team and gives us a better chance of winning.”
Rainey plays soccer because it’s fun, she has the opportunity to meet new people, and she enjoys the excitement of a good competition, but most importantly, she uses soccer and the experiences it brings her as a means of spreading God’s word.
“On the field, I try to do everything in God’s name, which is my strongest motivator in school too,” Rainey said. “I try to do my best and try my hardest and maybe make people see that there’s something different. I always try to encourage people on the field and pray for people before games.”
Sidebar:
Margo Rainey is a team player. Soccer is by no means an individual endeavor for her. She makes it a point to uplift her team and bring them together because she knows the importance of playing as a team.
“I don’t think a team can play well if a team doesn’t work together,” Rainey said. “I think it’s important to have a good relationship with the people on your team so you can work together and reach the goal you’re trying to get to.”
GPA: 4.0
Favorite Subject: Math
Extracurricular: Rainey sings in her church’s youth band, leads FCA at her school, and is a member of the National Honors Society.
Goals: Rainey would love to play soccer in college, preferably at Auburn University.
Uniting Faith and Sports, Thomasville Sophomore Scores Goals and Inspires Others
Margo Rainey | Thomasville High School | Sophomore
Written by: Sarah Turner
