It’s a skill passed on to her by her parents, especially her father, Fred.
“I was always taught, and encouraged, to do everything to the best of my ability,” the Grade 11 Horton student said. “I still like to be involved in as much as I can.”
The 17-year-old grew up in Kentville and attended Kings County Academy until she transferred to Horton for Grade 9.
Being able to compete in sport at a higher level was part of the reason she chose to attend Horton, but it wasn’t the only reason. She believed the Greenwich school simply had more to offer her, both academically and athletically.
Cumby has competed for Horton in soccer, cross-country, basketball and track and field. Her passion is clear: “right now, it’s between basketball and track for my favourite,” she says.
Juggling multiple sports
Most Grade 11 students aren’t able to still do as many sports as Cumby, but she has been able to excel at them all. While the seasons don’t necessarily overlap, “there are conflicts, and choices to make.”
Among her conflicts this past year were between soccer and basketball; track and field and playing on the provincial U-17 basketball team; and, to a lesser extent, soccer and cross-country, although one tends to keep her in shape for the other.
Her participating in sport has provided Cumby with lots of exposure out of the local area. She will compete for Nova Scotia at the U-17 basketball nationals later this summer, and last year, attended a NIKE national track and field competition in Toronto.
During her track and field career, she has done hurdles and sprints, run relays, long jump and triple jump. This spring, she qualified for NSSAF provincials in hurdles, 400 metres and both relays.
Love of basketball
As much as she enjoys the thrill of competing in track and field, Cumby also has a love – not to mention an affinity – for basketball.
The fact that she tends to concentrate on defence rather than the more glamorous offence and scoring says a lot about her character and her makeup.
Horton senior girls’ basketball coach Jennifer Veinot has worked with Cumby over the past four years.
“She has a lot of natural athletic ability and a tremendous work ethic,” Veinot said.
“These qualities, in combination with her desire and dedication to improve and to be a well-rounded individual, are what make her a special person to coach.”
The Horton girls were provincial runners-up in basketball this past season, and should be just as good - if not better - next year.
“I’m so excited about basketball next year. We return the core of our team, and are adding some great players from the Junior Axewomen,” Cumby said.
She added that in all her sports, “it helps that a lot of my friends are also my teammates.” The basketball team in particular “is very close. We’ve been playing with or against each other for years.”
Passion for track
The track and field season this year was “tough,” mostly due to the extended winter.
“The weather made it hard for training,” she said, but Horton still was able to qualify a good team for provincials.
Jason Pleasant has coached Cumby in both cross-country and track and field for the past three years.
“She’s a dream to coach,” he said. “That’s a big reason why she was our JV female athlete of the year and was also nominated at the senior level, even though she still has a year to go.”
Pleasant is impressed - but not necessarily surprised - that Cumby is able to excel in so many sports.
“She takes ownership of her learning technique, and motivating herself and her teammates. I like the fact that she has a bit of a competitive ‘swagger’ – respect all, fear none – but when she’s off the field, she’s just a tremendous person,” he said.
Great support system
Cumby says she has been “very lucky” in the support she’s had growing up
“I can definitely see my dad in my work ethic. He’s had an effect, but he’s let me be independent, too,” she said.
Cumby adds that she has no regrets about choosing to attend Horton.
“I love it. There’s a great atmosphere, lots of support, and great coaching,” she said.
“I’ve been really fortunate in the coaches I’ve had,” including Dave Harris who “has had a huge impact on us all.”
Cumby had one more year of high school left. As for where her education path will take her after that, she has no concrete plans – but she’s certain it will include sports.
“I’ll definitely be attending university, and either playing basketball or running, or maybe both,” she said.
In making her ultimate choice, she says, “it’ll be a matter of getting my priorities straight,” the same as she has through high school.
“I’ve had to make sacrifices, but it’s worth it when you get to provincials.”
Asked her philosophy in terms of sport, Cumby replied, “work hard, have fun, and do the best I can. It’s all fun, but in the end, it’s still just a game.”
It’s a skill passed on to her by her parents, especially her father, Fred.
“I was always taught, and encouraged, to do everything to the best of my ability,” the Grade 11 Horton student said. “I still like to be involved in as much as I can.”
The 17-year-old grew up in Kentville and attended Kings County Academy until she transferred to Horton for Grade 9.
Being able to compete in sport at a higher level was part of the reason she chose to attend Horton, but it wasn’t the only reason. She believed the Greenwich school simply had more to offer her, both academically and athletically.
Cumby has competed for Horton in soccer, cross-country, basketball and track and field. Her passion is clear: “right now, it’s between basketball and track for my favourite,” she says.
Juggling multiple sports
Most Grade 11 students aren’t able to still do as many sports as Cumby, but she has been able to excel at them all. While the seasons don’t necessarily overlap, “there are conflicts, and choices to make.”
Among her conflicts this past year were between soccer and basketball; track and field and playing on the provincial U-17 basketball team; and, to a lesser extent, soccer and cross-country, although one tends to keep her in shape for the other.
Her participating in sport has provided Cumby with lots of exposure out of the local area. She will compete for Nova Scotia at the U-17 basketball nationals later this summer, and last year, attended a NIKE national track and field competition in Toronto.
During her track and field career, she has done hurdles and sprints, run relays, long jump and triple jump. This spring, she qualified for NSSAF provincials in hurdles, 400 metres and both relays.
Love of basketball
As much as she enjoys the thrill of competing in track and field, Cumby also has a love – not to mention an affinity – for basketball.
The fact that she tends to concentrate on defence rather than the more glamorous offence and scoring says a lot about her character and her makeup.
Horton senior girls’ basketball coach Jennifer Veinot has worked with Cumby over the past four years.
“She has a lot of natural athletic ability and a tremendous work ethic,” Veinot said.
“These qualities, in combination with her desire and dedication to improve and to be a well-rounded individual, are what make her a special person to coach.”
The Horton girls were provincial runners-up in basketball this past season, and should be just as good - if not better - next year.
“I’m so excited about basketball next year. We return the core of our team, and are adding some great players from the Junior Axewomen,” Cumby said.
She added that in all her sports, “it helps that a lot of my friends are also my teammates.” The basketball team in particular “is very close. We’ve been playing with or against each other for years.”
Passion for track
The track and field season this year was “tough,” mostly due to the extended winter.
“The weather made it hard for training,” she said, but Horton still was able to qualify a good team for provincials.
Jason Pleasant has coached Cumby in both cross-country and track and field for the past three years.
“She’s a dream to coach,” he said. “That’s a big reason why she was our JV female athlete of the year and was also nominated at the senior level, even though she still has a year to go.”
Pleasant is impressed - but not necessarily surprised - that Cumby is able to excel in so many sports.
“She takes ownership of her learning technique, and motivating herself and her teammates. I like the fact that she has a bit of a competitive ‘swagger’ – respect all, fear none – but when she’s off the field, she’s just a tremendous person,” he said.
Great support system
Cumby says she has been “very lucky” in the support she’s had growing up
“I can definitely see my dad in my work ethic. He’s had an effect, but he’s let me be independent, too,” she said.
Cumby adds that she has no regrets about choosing to attend Horton.
“I love it. There’s a great atmosphere, lots of support, and great coaching,” she said.
“I’ve been really fortunate in the coaches I’ve had,” including Dave Harris who “has had a huge impact on us all.”
Cumby had one more year of high school left. As for where her education path will take her after that, she has no concrete plans – but she’s certain it will include sports.
“I’ll definitely be attending university, and either playing basketball or running, or maybe both,” she said.
In making her ultimate choice, she says, “it’ll be a matter of getting my priorities straight,” the same as she has through high school.
“I’ve had to make sacrifices, but it’s worth it when you get to provincials.”
Asked her philosophy in terms of sport, Cumby replied, “work hard, have fun, and do the best I can. It’s all fun, but in the end, it’s still just a game.”
