Mika Strong, wife to Ada High School coach Jeremy Strong and mother to two Cougars, knows the sacrifices it takes to be a great athlete.

“We have tried to teach our kids that if you are going to do something, you have to be fully committed,” Strong says. “You will never be successful at anything if you don’t work hard.”

Jeremy serves as Ada’s head varsity softball coach and assistant girls basketball coach. Gehrig is a student at East Central University and played basketball and baseball for four years at Ada.

Abbey, an Ada junior, plays fast pitch, basketball, slow pitch and track.

“Sports teach you to be tough, that life isn’t always fair or perfect, hard work is worth it and there aren’t many things better than the thrill of victory [or] success,” Strong says.

For sports and studies (see Abbey’s excellent GPA and Gehrig’s name on the dean’s honor roll), the Strong parents “don’t make excuses” and encourage persistence – “you just have to work harder, do better.”

“I am super competitive. Our whole family is,” Strong says, “but I’m super proud of the kids’ dedication and hard work. Seeing your kids work hard to get better at all things. That’s what makes parents proud.”