By Kaity Sample Posted April 15, 2015
Don’t let her height fool you, because Shelby McKinnon is the strongest girl in Nevada. Literally. McKinnon has won the state weightlifting competition since her freshman year, she has played four years of varsity softball and is a three-time All-League catcher, she has played three years of varsity basketball, and played one year of varsity volleyball her sophomore year. This is Shelby’s senior year and she hopes to go out with a big bang as she finishes off her senior year of high school softball where she will continue to play at the College of Southern Idaho where she will be receiving a scholarship.
As she looks back she remembers where she began to love the game.
“I started playing t-ball when I was six years old; I moved up to play city league softball when I was seven,” said McKinnon. “Ever since then, I have always loved the game. I loved being on the field, behind the plate, everything about it.”
McKinnon not only has an impressive high school softball career but also has been on an elite traveling team since her freshman year. During her freshman summer, she competed with Lightning and since then she has been competing with Stealth Softball as the starting catcher. Lowry’s head softball coach, Ty Lucas, has been someone she can look up to and has believed in her since the beginning.
“Lucas is a great coach, he has helped get me where I’m at and was a big part of my recruiting process,” said McKinnon. “At practice, we not only work hard but have fun while doing it. I have a lot to thank him for.”
Although she has a passion for softball throughout the years she has also been extremely dedicated to her time in the gym and on the court.
“I’ve always been an aggressive athlete and on the basketball court, I can let go,” said McKinnon. “Coach (Chelsea Cabatbat) has been my coach for all four years of my high school basketball career. Every time I stepped on the court she pushed me to be better, and quicker and to always push myself to the limit. I’m so grateful for everything she has done for me.”
More often than not, Shelby can be spotted headed into the weight room when she isn’t on the field or on the court. For the past three years, Shelby has placed first in squats, cleans, and benches in the annual state lifting competition that takes place in the late spring. McKinnon hopes to continue to keep that record as she prepares for this year’s tournament.
Despite Shelby’s impressive athletic background she is also a good student and hopes to be successful in life.
“I want to be successful,” said McKinnon. “Having my college paid for with a scholarship will be nice and I won’t have to worry about a lot of student loans. I want a good-paying job and a family someday, but as of right now I am focusing on the next step in my future.”
