Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Katie Flaherty shoots a free throw for St. Edmond in the Gael gym.

Katie Flaherty experienced all the highs and lows that come with battling through adversity in her life.

One constant remained throughout for the St. Edmond senior: her desire to make her family and friends proud.

“My family is definitely one of the biggest supporters I’ve had,” she said. “But also all my friends and the teams I was on. They never let me go a day without letting me know they wished I was playing with them.

“When I came back junior year, my biggest motivation was to play for my dad (Tim, who passed away unexpectedly in 2021) and make him proud.”

Flaherty has been involved in volleyball, basketball tennis and softball, earning captain status the last two years in basketball and this spring in tennis. She also is part of Play Like A Champion and St. Edmond Honor Society, while earning academic and service letters, and the Dr. E. Wayne Cooley Award this past winter.

“It has meant a lot to me being a Gael athlete,” she said. “From the bonds I made to the support I have gotten through everything I have been through.

“It definitely has been hard overcoming injuries, but I knew just by watching I wanted to get back and play. The support I received and continue to receive through it all has really helped me.”

Flaherty was limited to five games this past basketball season, scoring 27 points with 24 rebounds. She played in 22 games as a junior, recording 104 points and 101 rebounds.

The Gael tennis team is off to a 2-0 start, with Flaherty going 1-1 in singles and 1-1 in doubles.

Up next for Flaherty will be the University of Northern Iowa, as she will enroll in the fall and plans to study communication disorders and sciences while planning to become a speech pathologist.

“I’m going to miss all the bonds I made through sports,” Flaherty said. “And also the teachers and seeing all the little kids.”

TIMEOUT WITH KATIE FLAHERTY

Vacation destination: Hawaii.

People I would like to have dinner with: my dad, my grandma Alyce, my grandpa Jim.

It would surprise people that I: read sometimes.

My sports role model:

Candace Parker when I was younger.

My everyday role model: my dad, Tim.

I can’t go a day without: my Stanley cups.

Nickname: Kat.

Superstition: listening to music before competition.

Most heated rivalry:

Manson Northwest Webster.

Favorite road trip: going to Colorado with family.

What are you listening to right now? anything country.

Go-to song: ‘Heading South’ by Zach Bryan.

Favorites…

Team: Iowa Hawkeyes.

Athlete: Caitlin Clark.

Class: service class.

Movie: Murder Mystery.

Book: ‘It Ends With Us’ by Colleen Hoover.

Phone app: TikTok.