Sarah Cook is a senior softball player from Murphysboro, Illinois. After her junior season she was named All-Conference, All-South, and First Team All-State. In the fall of 2023 she committed to start her college career with Southern Illinois University, just a few miles down the road from her hometown. She will be following in the footsteps of her mother Kim Cook, who is also the head softball coach at Murphysboro High School, and who played for SIU when she was in college. The following photo story explores Sarah's last season with the team that lovingly calls her "Cookie."
Sarah Cook boards the bus after an away game victory against the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats April 30, 2024 in Jonesboro, Illinois.
Cook (13) warms up with teammates before their game versus the Wildcats April 30, 2024 in Jonesboro, Illinois.
Cook's softball bag hangs up in the dugout at a Red Devils softball practice March 7, 2024 in Murphysboro, Illinois.
Cook completes a set of overhead presses April 16, 2024 in Murphysboro, Illinois. She works out with a trainer twice a week during preseason, and sporadically during game season. When she does lift, she goes straight from practice at the softball field to Topp Shape gym.
Cook and teammate Marteena Clover carry a warmup mat off the field to shake out the sand after a home game March 29, 2024 in Murphysboro, Illinois.
Cook sports an SIU Saluki sticker on her batting helmet as she rounds third base and applauds a teammate's hit March 29, 2024 in Murphysboro, Illinois.
Cook, a shortstop, tags out a Mt. Vernon runner while covering second base during a home game April 24, 2024 in Murphysboro, Illinois.
Kim Cook jokes with her daughter before she goes up to bat March 29, 2024 in Murphysboro, Illinois.
Cook swings at a ball thrown from the pitching machine March 26, 2024. She goes to batting practice once a week with SI Elite of Marion, Illinois to work with the batting coach who's been training her since she was in grade school.
Cook is sent to home plate by an outfield hit from one of her teammates April 30, 2024 in Jonesboro, Illinois.
The Red Devils talk and laugh on the bus ride home after their comeback victory over the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats April 30, 2024.
Cook leaves the Murphysboro High School softball field after a game March 29, 2024.
