Delta Senior Ruth Sherck Shines in Soccer, Track & Leadership
Ruth Sherck is a self-described competitor at heart. The Delta senior loves to be in the thick of any kind of sporting contest—even board games. Her hard work and enjoyment of athletics have paid off. She holds school records in soccer and track. Equally important to her is the desire to be there for people and include others.
Sherck’s involvement with soccer, track and basketball began when she was young. She participated in recreational sport leagues, including YMCA youth basketball and Delaware County Futbol Club (DCFC) Youth Recreational Soccer. She started playing the position of goalkeeper early on.
“When I was in upper elementary school, no one else raised their hand to be goalkeeper,” she says. “I fell in love with the position. In middle school, I was the only one who raised their hand again. I like the team aspect of soccer and the adrenaline when I’m diving for a save.”
This year, the Lady Eagles soccer team had an incredible season. They won 19 out of 21 games played and went on to be conference, sectional and regional champions. Although Delta lost to Mishawaka Marian in the Semi-State Championship, Sherck had 19 saves at the net. During her senior season, she broke her own career record of shutouts, plus the record for shutouts in a single season. In addition, she set a record for career saves.
Track is another sport Sherck excels at. She currently holds the distance record for indoor shot put and also competes in the discus throw. Sherck says she enjoys the slower pace of her events and how their individual aspects allow her to push herself in ways she can control.
“This year I’m involved with basketball as a team manager,” she says. “I played as a freshman and sophomore, but I developed a foot tendon injury. I can’t do the repeated force in running and cutting away needed for basketball, but I look at being team manager as an opportunity to still be around the sport and be a supportive person and a quiet leader. I notice when someone is in their head too much. I hope people would say they felt seen by me, loved and included — even when they seem like they don’t want to be.”
Besides sports, Sherck participates in several extracurricular activities. She is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Riley Kids Dance Marathon and Best Buddies. She is also a freshman mentor, active in her church youth group, and each Friday she and other members of Sweets and Salvation hand out goodies and pray for the school.
“Time management isn’t super hard to navigate,” she says. “The sports don’t happen at the same time, but sometimes they do overlap due to the success factor. I try to be present for each happening and I use the time in between to focus on other things.
“I’ve had so many mentors along the way that I can’t name them because I don’t want to leave anyone out. The number one thing that drives me is my faith. Before any competition, I pray not for my own glory but for God’s. When I was a sophomore, I lost my brother, who had autism and was nonverbal. Malachi was my buddy. We were best friends. I want to make my brother proud and my other siblings proud.”
Currently, Sherck is investigating colleges and is looking into the possibility of being a member of the track team and competing in the throwing events. She would like to pursue being an athletic trainer so she could help people and still be involved in the sports she loves. However, she also wishes to share the love of Jesus in some capacity.
“There are a lot of moments where I can’t believe I made it to this point,” she says. “When I was a freshman, I never would have believed it if someone told me we would go to semi-state. This year is the fruition of hard work. Most of us have played together since sixth or seventh grade.
“My advice is to stay present and be focused on what is in front of you. Be proud of where you came from, even if it is a small accomplishment, but know there is always room for improvement. I never thought I would hold the records I do,” she adds.
