VYPE: When and how did you first get into playing your sport?
Katelyn: I started playing little league soccer and did gymnastics when I was about five. I got into playing soccer and gymnastics because my dad wanted me to have good foot skills for basketball.
VYPE: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Katelyn: Participating in sports has taught me in my everyday life how to be disciplined and to not give up. I have great teamwork skills that I will bring with me to the adult world.
VYPE: What is your favorite part about being on a team?
Katelyn: My favorite part about being on a team is the memories made and the sense of belonging somewhere. Having those people to back you up no matter what. I’ve found my best friends through my sports teams.
VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
Katelyn: A teammate that left the biggest impression on me would be Madi Wheat. She was a senior in my freshman year. She was a great leader and I learned a lot about leading from her. She treated me no differently because I was young. She pushed me to be a better athlete each time I would guard her. She took her team to the Semifinals at state but unfortunately, Covid happened.
VYPE: Why are you passionate about your sport?
Katelyn: I’m passionate about my sports because I was raised by a heck of a coach. He taught me everything I know. He’s the reason for my determination and my will. He’s the reason I believe in myself and he built and shaped me into the athlete I am today.
VYPE: Who is your favorite teacher from any grade and why?
Katelyn: My favorite teacher would be Brandi Geiger. I go to her workout classes at the gym. She’s a math teacher at my high school. I can always go and talk to her on a hard day. She’s a teacher I talk with in between passing periods and she always has a smile on her face.
VYPE: Who inspires you and why?
Katelyn: Who inspires me the most would be my father. He raised me as a single dad who is a hard-working coach. When he coached basketball in his 20s at East Central as a broke head coach he would have players stay with him and pay for their meals who didn’t have a good home life. My dad has always gone above and beyond for his athletes. Planning practice schedules and scouting other teams in his free time. He leaves more than just a mark on his athletes than just a coach. He leaves you with real discipline and how to be the best version of yourself.
VYPE: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.
Katelyn: People I would thank for the reason I am who I am would be of course my father but also my grandparents who never let me miss a meal and picked me up every day from school. To all the coaches I’ve ever had; Kyle Houston, Rico Soares, Coach Bolding, Coach Scott, Coach Crace, Coach Booker, Coach Chili, Coach Allison, and Coach Rooks. They have all left a difference on me and I’ve learned from each one and taught me valuable lessons for life.
VYPE: Are you involved in any other activities?
Katelyn: The best advice someone has given me would be from my dad. “If you believe you can’t do something, you can’t because it’s all in your head.” It makes me really think of the positive and reevaluate my version of the negative.
