For Leandra Sterner, it's all about playing the game and winning, too.

That's the way it has been for the recently graduated Northampton senior since the days of her early youth. Sterner's spirited attitude has driven her to new personal heights as well as raised the bar for teammates from each of the three sports she participated as a Konkrete Kid the past four seasons.

Her efforts this year helped her gain the Northampton Press Athlete of the Year Award. It was the second consecutive year she received the award.

"Ever since I was little, I have been very competitive," she said. "I have always tried to win at everything I competed in, even things outside of sports. It has always been my nature and that's why I really enjoy playing sports all the time.

"Getting individual honors are great, but it is really about what I can do to make my team better. I want to be successful and I want my team to benefit from it."

This year, Sterner was influential in aiding the Kids' soccer, basketball and softball programs as well as carving her own niche in the Northampton record books.

She became the Kids' all-time leading female soccer scorer as she scored 23 this season and finished with 47 tallies for her career. Her offensive output helped the team make a return trip to districts for the first time in six years.

Sterner also was a first team Lehigh Valley Conference choice on the hardwoods for the Kids, scoring 456 points and helping them to a PIAA playoff berth. This past spring, Sterner batted .279 and scored 17 runs as a key contributor in the outfield as the Kids advanced to the LVC semifinals and made an appearance in districts.

"To me, soccer was probably the biggest memory from this season," she said. "It has been such a long time since we made districts and the program has really struggled. That was really special. It was also a great basketball season and getting to the state playoffs was great."

Head girls basketball coach Jeff Jacksits certainly has appreciated her approach.

"She just never stops working," he said. "She has certainly made many strides since her freshman year. Leandra made herself into a proven leader and she has supported her teammates along the way.

"She certainly did her share to help elevate the program."

Sterner credited her tireless work ethic to the constant driving encouragement and constructive criticism of her father, Blaine. She also has gained support from her mother Sharon, and younger sisters, Lauren and Morgan.

"He (Blaine) was always telling me what I did wrong and needed to correct since I was little," said Sterner. "Sometimes, he was hard on me, and I had some doubts about playing. But now I know he was doing it to make me a better player.

"Even so, I really never thought about quitting sports. I just enjoyed it since I started playing."

Sterner's frenzied state over sports has her headed to DeSales University to play basketball and major in physical therapy.

She admittedly had a difficult time choosing between DeSales and Misericordia.

"It was close," said Sterner. "Both schools were a good fit for me, but I finally chose DeSales. It seemed like they could offer me more for my major. Physical therapy is a good major for me and it keeps me close to sports. Plus, [DeSales] is a little bit closer to home."

Sterner might take some time to become acclimated to her new environment.

"I know I'll miss high school sports," she said. "It really didn't hit me that it is over until about two weeks ago. I know I'll miss all my teammates and all of the coaches and support staff at Northampton. They all really made my high school career fun."

Yet, she doesn't plan to slow her pace. Along with playing basketball next fall, Sterner also plans to continue working with youth in sports, as coaching looms as a possibility in the future.

"There were times when I got a week or so off between sports and sometimes it would help me rest a bit," she said. "I just really enjoy being active. If I couldn't play sports, I know I would be very competitive in my studies.

"But I hope that day never comes. I know I will always want to be able to compete and play sports. That's what keeps me going."

In all likelihood, Sterner will keep going in the right direction.