Chick-fil-A ‘Triple-A’ – Lyon County’s Emma Brasher

Lyon County senior Emma Brasher has spent most of her life around the game of softball, but as she closes out her high school career, her impact is reaching beyond the diamond.

Emma has been playing since she was about four years old, stepping away briefly before returning in the fifth grade and eventually playing up at the middle school level.

Looking back, she said one of the most rewarding parts of the journey has been growing alongside the same teammates and classmates through the years.

“It’s great to see everybody you play with grow as a player and more as a person and all the memories we get to share together throughout the years,” she said.

Emma says she tries to be someone younger players can count on, especially because she remembers what it was like being in their shoes as a younger athlete playing up. Brasher said she wants to be a steady presence for the underclassmen and serve as a “big sister” they can turn to with questions or for support.

“I know what their circumstances they’re in and I’m just trying to be that person that they can rely on with any questions they may have and just be like their big sister,” she said.

Emma, who played basketball in middle school and enjoys the outdoors, has worked hard to improve her game, particularly at the plate.

With over 115 games played in her career, she has raised her batting average 80 points this season and has driven in 38 runs in her career.

Away from athletics, Brasher has built an impressive resume in the classroom and in student leadership. She said she currently carries an all-A average, something she has maintained throughout high school and ranks second in her class.

She is also active in several school organizations, serving as reporter for Future Business Leaders of America and president of the Pep Club, while also participating in Young Republicans and Beta Club.

Through FBLA, Brasher and a partner placed third in an architectural design competition during Engineering Day at Murray State University last year. The challenge required students to build a roller coaster design using pool noodles, tape, and pipes while meeting specific criteria, including loops and other structural elements.

Brasher said athletics has helped prepare her for life after high school by making her more well-rounded and teaching her accountability. That mindset also carried over into one of her most memorable academic experiences — the Governor’s Scholars Program at Morehead State University.

Brasher described the five-week summer program as a life-changing opportunity that pushed her outside of her comfort zone, helping her make lifelong friends and learn more about herself. She called the biggest lesson simple but meaningful: even when you are unsure, putting yourself out there can be more rewarding than you expect.

That willingness to step outside her comfort zone will continue next year, when Brasher heads to Murray State University to pursue a future in the veterinary field. She said her passion for animals began at a young age, and in 2021 she got the chance to work at the Lyon County Animal Hospital, where she said Dr. Kyle Davis and the staff have supported her dream and helped her better understand the profession.

Brasher said she is especially excited about Murray State’s plans for a veterinary center, calling it a major boost not only for students entering the field, but for Kentucky as a whole at a time when there is a shortage of veterinarians across the Commonwealth.

Outside of school, Brasher said she enjoys hunting with her grandfather and is deeply involved in Hurricane Camp in Tolu, where she helps counsel young boys and girls and teach them about Jesus each summer. It is another example of the servant-minded leadership she has developed as she prepares to graduate from Lyon County High School.

Chick-fil-A ‘Triple A’ recognizes athletes for their academics, achievements, and athletics during their high school career. Athletes are selected through nominations from teachers, coaches, school officials, and YSE staff. You can submit a nomination for a Chick-fil-A ‘Triple-A’ to include academic and athletic achievements to scott@yoursportsedge.com.