Your team can grow to be so much more than just a team. For Kinzley Lebeda, her softball team grew to be more like her family. She says that her teammates have been her biggest positive impacts. “They always have my back, pick me up when I’m down, and are there for me if I need anything. They are extremely supportive and have made the sport truly special,” she says.

Kinzley is a senior at Enid High School and started playing sports as a young kid, but had never really had a sport that she loved until she played softball. The main reason that she loves the sport so much is being surrounded by her teammates and playing defense out on the field. Kinzley also participates in STUCO, National Honor Society, the Presidential Advisory Committee, the Academic Team, and is a senior class officer.

Her favorite subject in school is math because it is exact, and her favorite teacher is Ms. Bailey Brown, because she has been there for Kinzley in and out of the classroom; giving her advice about issues that she’s had outside of school and helped her prepare for her future. For fun she  likes to hang with friends, build with Legos, and read. After high school, Kinzley wants to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering, specializing in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Her biggest role model is her father, who works hard at everything that he does, and always gives one hundred percent. To Kinzley, being a great athlete means having dedication, consistency, work ethic, and mental strength. Sports have taught her leadership, collaboration, and perseverance. Her advice to her fellow athletes is that the sport will give back what you give it. “If you work hard, are persistent and dedicated, the sport is extremely rewarding. These qualities will get you so far in the sport and make it so much fun and special,” she says. 

By Ariel Casida