First Academy ‘s Ansley Gebben is one of the most decorated athletes to come through the school with a total of six state championships, three in volleyball and three in track and field. The Royal’s senior remains humble in her success and gives her glory to God.
“It’s definitely an honor especially for me. It’s unreal having six already but I just want to thank God for giving me this ability, it’s all about him. He’s honored me because I’ve been honoring to him and working hard every day. I want to make certain I’ve given all and my best in whatever I do.”
If it weren’t for volleyball Gebben may have never got involved with track and field. She loved watching her sister compete in track and field and figured she’d give the sport a go to stay in shape for volleyball.
“My coach and I, we just did the hurdles as a test run one day and he told me I did very well but my form wasn’t that great but I could get over them. So we decided to work on form and that’s where I am at now.”
Coach Rick Bohner saw the potential in Gebben and her strict worth ethic and drive.
“The thing that made her successful was Ansley’s got one of those competitive natures that are unquenchable. She hates to lose. She will push herself to the limit to be competitive it’s just tenacious.”
With all the hard work it takes to be successful on both the hardwood and the track what is a week like for the TFA senior? Busy and jam-packed would be some good adjectives.
“A typical schedule for me would be Monday just track. Tuesday, track, weight training, and volleyball. Wednesday, track. Thursdays, track, weight training, and volleyball. Friday, volleyball and track meets. Saturday and Sunday are usually volleyball tournaments.”
That intensity is what has led Gebben to be one of the most decorated athletes at The First Academy. Coach Bohner talks about the honor of coaching such a tremendous two sport star.
“I feel so honored to be her coach because it’s my first time ever being a head coach and for God to give me an athlete of this nature where do you go up from here? It’s going to be hard to repeat the last four years, I’m spoiled.”
Ansley Gebben has no plans of slowing down on the track anytime soon. She hopes to take home three more gold medals this season, the 100 and 300 hurdles, and the 4x100. Gebben also hopes to win Golden South, and also run in Nationals. Of all her accomplishments she says several moments stick out.
“I think just having the coaches that I have and the people around me for being so Godly and pushing me to where I need to be. My first state championship really sticks out and also Golden South this year was a big one for me for winning and it being on the 400 hurdles instead of the 300. It was a huge honor especially because I practice on that track, I know what my steps are going to be, and the feel of it was so great. My whole family was there.”
For Coach Bohner, his fondest memory of Ansley was also that first state championship as a freshman.
“We knew how good she was but it was can she compete at the state level. She anchors our 4x8 team and runs a 2:22, a personal best for her, and had it been an open event it’d be a school record. It comes down to a photo finish in the 300 hurdles and then she anchors our 4x4 team seeded 7th and they finish third, she holds off the fastest runner in the state. It was just a great meet for Ansley.”
At a Christian school like TFA, the tight knit atmosphere can mostly be described as a family. Gebben sees her success as an avenue to reach out to youngsters.
“It’s kind of a podium for us we need to be able to step it up and not think about ourselves and think about or team more. It’s important for us to work hard.”
Coach Bohner explains that the middle school and high school kids run together every day so they can witness that hard work first hand.
“Ansley is one of those people that have a character that is worth emulating. Something that makes TFA different is that we take our Christianity seriously. It’s a way of life, it’s part of our character, and the tightness comes because you have to be transparent and real and in track the real you comes out you can’t put on a show for very long. We encourage each other and Ansley is probably one of the best at doing that.”
Following a successful high school career, Gebben will turn her focus to college where she will attend Liberty University and major in business. She explains what sold her on the Flames.
“I chose Liberty because they have a great volleyball program, great girls, great coach, and a beautiful campus. It is the largest Christian University so it will help me in the long run with my walk with Christ.
The two sport standout had a difficult choice to make when it came to if she would focus on volleyball or track.
“I started volleyball in 5th grade and grew up loving it. I started track to help out volleyball and really loved it and exceeding in it so I started thinking about doing both in college. When I signed with Liberty I figured I couldn’t do both so I just decided to do volleyball.”
Her love for track isn’t completely lost. Despite, pledging to only participate in volleyball she says she is open to the idea of doing both if her coach let’s her. If it doesn’t happen she admits “that is okay too.”
Getting To Know Ansley Gebben
When you’re not playing sports what are you doing? “I don’t really have time to do anything else. I love tubing. I do this Wii game called Just Dance. I like going out bike riding. Hanging out with my family is the most important thing and sleeping.”
Funny stories/pre-meet routines: “For our 4xt team we usually wear crew socks and just any type of socks. We wear them to make them more fun. The socks are never the same we usually wear teddy bear or Christmas socks. This year I’m designing my own spikes which is like the Nike ID and they are going to be bright yellow with a blue swoosh on the side, blue laces, and blue spikes. You can design what they say and it’s going to say Ansley #9 and the other shoe is the Bible verse I choose.”
Favorite home-cooked meal: “I actually cook myself. The meal I like is chicken pot pie. The times we cook that I’ll be the chef for that portion.”
If you were stranded on an island with three things what would they be? My bible, soda (most likely Coke), and I’d have my sister, either one that would go with me.”
The television show you can’t miss is: “SpongeBob SquarePants.”
Final thoughts: “Thanks to my coaches for being there for me and being supportive, my family also, and to the track and volleyball teams, I love you all.
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