NATCHEZ — Sarah Clancy doesn’t allow her time to be wasted, and the Adams County Christian School center midfielder has the grades to show for it.

Clancy maintains a 4.0 grade-point average and scored a 31 on the ACT, all while balancing time between soccer, cross country, track and tennis.

“Any block of time I have, I’m using it to do something,” Clancy explained. “In fifth period I’m a teacher’s aid, and in seventh period I’m in the office, so if there’s nothing going on, I can study.”

In addition, Clancy said she would occasionally have a late-night study session, but much of what she learns comes from simply paying attention in class. English and history are her strongest subjects, and classes like chemistry, physics and calculus require a little more attention, she said.

ACCS soccer coach Jimmy Allgood said he’s enjoyed coaching Clancy the two years he’s had her. Clancy moved to Natchez from Jackson, Wyo., before her junior year.

“She’s the ultimate soccer coach’s player,” Allgood said. “She’s a true scholar athlete, and as a soccer player, she’s given 100 percent every time she steps on the field.”

Clancy said having Allgood as her coach has been a big help to her academic-wise, thanks to Allgood stressing the importance of making good grades over anything else. Sometimes after a game, Allgood will only take the team to get fast food instead of a place where they’d have to wait longer to get food, allowing the players more time on the bus to study.

“He places an importance on playing hard and also on maintaining a good GPA,” Clancy said. “He makes sure we don’t have crazy amounts of homework before we go get dinner after a game.”

Allgood said he makes sure his players realize that grades come first.

“I try to instill in the program that the classroom and academics are what allow you to enjoy this sport,” Allgood said.

If Clancy isn’t studying for one of her own classes on the bus ride home, she said she and the older players don’t let that free time go to waste.

“If I’m done with my homework, I’ll help the younger kids,” Clancy said.

Along with sports, Clancy is involved with other extra curricular activities, including serving as the senior class president on the student council.

“My parents have always placed an importance on service, and I really push myself to make a difference,” Clancy said. “I want to be involved; it’s important to me, along with grades and sports.”

Before moving to Natchez, Clancy was home-schooled, and she said she’s been happy with her experience at ACCS.

“It was quite a change, being thrust into this environment,” Clancy said. “But it helped me meet new people and come out of my shell.”

Though she’s gotten countless overtures from colleges across the country, Clancy said she’s not sure which school she wants to attend. She plans on majoring in either pre-med or pre-veterinarian.

Clancy is the daughter of Andria and Buddy Clancy.