By Julianna Gonzalez Posted June 7, 2018
As the school year comes to an end, so do sports, along with the amazing senior athletes leaving to pursue their adult lives. One of them is this year’s Student-Athlete of the Year. Kyllie is a three-sport athlete and has been surrounded by sports her whole life. She gives her family the credit for getting her into sports.
Starting at a young age, Kyllie joined tee ball when she was five years old. She started basketball and volleyball at around 8 years old. Volleyball, basketball, and softball are the only three sports she has played. Sappington has done three years of volleyball and basketball in high school. She was an outside hitter in volleyball and a post/guard in basketball. She was involved in softball for four years and played left field her freshman year, switching to being the catcher the next three years.
Sappington would choose softball to be her favorite sport.
“I not only have a fun time playing it, but it’s also challenging for me and pushes me to be a better athlete,” said Sappington.
Kyllie has achieved multiple successes throughout her high school years. Her biggest accomplishments are making it to state in all three sports for my senior year, getting MVP of her league for softball, and getting national player of the week for the west region by MaxPreps. She also feels proud of being named catcher of the year for Northern 3A her senior year.
“The rush of the sports is what keeps me playing and, of course, making memories with my teammates,” said Sappington.
Her favorite hobby would be hanging out with family. Especially her niece and nephews. Her best high school experiences include all the fun times she had with friends and her teammates during sports. Kyllie’s biggest supporters are her siblings, Tracy and Kyle Sappington, and her best friend, Tailor West.
She would choose her sister Stephanie Mendez as her role model.
“She is the strongest person I know and has shown me unconditional love,” said Sappington.
Kyllie is planning on attending Boise State University. Kyllie is undecided in what she wants to study, but she is leaning towards the geology field.
“I’ll hopefully figure out what I want to do while I’m in college and go from there,” said Sappington.
