NATCHEZ — With the Vidalia baseball and softball fields right behind Adams County Christian senior Taylor Welch’s house, sports was pretty much a given.

And there certainly was no shortage of sports, as Welch was a cheerleader in the fall, basketball player in the winter and is currently playing tennis for ACCS.

Welch has also competed in gymnastics and played softball and ran track in the past. While it might seem like an overload, Welch said sports were just a way of life for her and her family.

“My brother Justin played sports growing up,” Welch said. “My family has been the biggest influence on me, especially my dad. He’s a farmer, and he’s not going to quit until he gets it right.”

That influence from her father turned Welch into a perfectionist in everything she did, Welch’s mother Belinda Welch said.

“She loves to excel and tries very hard,” Belinda Welch said. “She would be in the back yard working as hard as she can on her back hand springs for gymnastics.

“She would give it her all until she had what she needed. She has an outgoing personality and loves being around people.”

Welch’s father Tim Welch said sports became a way of life for all of them when Taylor started competing in them.

“We’ve traveled all over Mississippi and Louisiana watching her play,” he said. “We’ve been trying to decide what we’re going to do next year (after Taylor graduates).

“We’re farmers, so I told my wife she might have to pick up riding a tractor since she won’t be going to any games.”

Of all the sports she plays, Taylor said basketball is easily her favorite.

“I’ve been playing since the third grade, and I love it,” Taylor Welch said.

“I’m the team’s outside shooter, and I love shooting the three. It’s just something I’m comfortable doing. I don’t feel any added pressure.”

Playing for ACCS girls coach Melanie Hall was an amazing experience, Taylor Welch said.

“You can mess up and she’ll let you know, but she’ll get right back behind you to pick you up,” Welch said.

“She’s so positive about everything, and that goes back to how spiritual she is. She realizes how she’s been blessed, and she doesn’t take anything for granted. She won’t let us take anything for granted either.”

Even with so many different sports, Welch currently has a 3.8 GPA.

“Good grades are another thing that was expected of me,” she said. “It was something that just wasn’t an option.”

And Welch’s mother backed her up on that.

“We would have to have had another conversation if she didn’t (maintain her grades),” Belinda Welch said.

Taylor Welch plans to attend Lousiana Tech in the fall and major in physical therapy. She also wants to try out for the cheerleading squad at the school.

“I’m a little nervous about it, but more excited than anything,” Welch said.

And Belinda Welch said she hopes her daughter can continue with at least one sport beyond high school.

“We’ve just enjoyed the memories she’s made for us up until this point,” Belinda Welch said.