Josie Wood, a senior at Winfield High School lives in Riverdale Estates, with her parents, Bethany and Brian Wood. Her older brother, William Wood, is a freshman at Marshall University and serves in the West Virginia Army National Guard.

Growing up, Josie was encouraged by her parents to try various activities, but it was soccer that captured her heart at an early age. Josie told Stroll Winfield, “I started playing soccer from a very young age because my parents signed me up for all that they could, but I soon discovered that soccer was my passion. In high school, I was looking for an extra way to stay in shape outside of soccer season and that is when coach Bailey recruited me from my freshman gym class to join the track team.” Her dedication to both sports has paid off, earning her numerous accolades, including 2nd Team All-State in soccer and multiple team State Championships in track.

One of the most influential figures in Josie's athletic career has been her high school soccer coach, Jade Lewis. "She went above and beyond for both my team and me as an individual player," Josie said. "She had a special way of making practice fun while pushing me to be the best I could be." Her teammates also hold a special place in her heart, because of the shared faith that unites them. "My favorite thing about my team is our faith. Whether it be at a track meet or before a game, my coaches always instilled in us the habit of praying together. Many times, I had the privilege of leading those prayers. It was something I never took for granted.”

Josie has learned valuable life lessons through her athletic experiences. "Success is not handed to you; it is earned through dedication and effort," she said. "Being on a team has taught me teamwork, communication, and leadership. Our collective success has always been more important than individual achievements."

One of her fondest memories was an unconventional team-building exercise orchestrated by Coach Jade. "My favorite moment of all was when she bought us all Nerf guns and we played capture the flag at practice!" she recalled with a smile. Josie added. “Playing in the North/South all-star game, and winning three track State championship it is easy to say I’ve been blessed.”

After graduation, Josie plans to attend Marshall University, majoring in communication disorders to become a children’s speech pathologist.

For those considering sports, Josie has some advice: "Although some days may be hard, the successes are so worth all the hard work. Even if you may not be the best, the relationships sports bring will go beyond the field."

Through her commitment to excellence, faith, and community, Josie Wood has made a lasting impact on her teammates, coaches, and our community.