Celebrating our Jayhawks on National Student-Athlete Day

Favorite experience or most memorable moment as a student-athlete?

My favorite experience being a student athlete at KU has been going to rock chalk choice awards with my team. I love seeing everyone get dressed up and it’s always fun being around other student athletes.

Favorite tradition or ritual you or your team does?

My favorite ritual that we do as a team is jamming out to music all together on game days.

Who has made the biggest impact on you as a student-athlete?

My teammates have had the biggest impact on me as a student athlete. They have pushed me to become better player on the court and a better person off the court. And they have always been there for me through the good and the bad times. 

Favorite thing to do outside of athletics?

My favorite thing to do outside of athletics is to go hiking or play board games with my friends and family.

Favorite experience or most memorable moment as a student-athlete?

Winning the Big 12 tournament in 2019.

Favorite tradition or ritual you or your team does?

Whether it’s a home game or an away game, my team does a pre game chant in the locker room every time before we go on the field and compete.

Who has made the biggest impact on you as a student-athlete?

My coach because he continuously pushes me to a new level everyday and holds me to a high standard.

Favorite thing to do outside of athletics?

Make Tik Toks and hang out with my friends.

Favorite experience or most memorable moment as a student-athlete?

My favorite experience was beating South Dakota in the bottom of the eighth inning on a two-run walk-off home run.

Favorite tradition or ritual you or your team does?

My favorite tradition normally is gathering at home plate after someone hits a home run, but with COVID the team has to stay in the dugout. But it’s still my favorite because we make a tunnel for them or sometimes put the home run chain on them.

Who has made the biggest impact on you as a student-athlete?

George Midgett made the biggest impact on me since I’ve been a student-athlete. He encouraged me to be the best athlete I can be while also guided me to utilize every resource I can to create the best future for myself.

Favorite thing to do outside of athletics?

My favorite thing to do outside of softball is hangout with my friends. My friends are really adventurous and have pushed me to be the same way, so finding fun things or challenges to do is always a great time.

Favorite experience or most memorable moment as a student-athlete?

The trips we take during spring break when I get to spend time with all my teammates and play some really awesome courses.

Favorite tradition or ritual you or your team does?

We always wave the wheat anytime after we make a birdie and it’s always nice to see my teammates playing well and get excited for one another.

Who has made the biggest impact on you as a student-athlete?

My coaches have been some of the most supportive people I have ever met in my life. They are always my biggest fan and I know they will be there for me even after my time at KU ends.

Favorite thing to do outside of athletics?

I really enjoy being outdoors and finding new places to explore around Lawrence. I also enjoy spending time with my teammates because they are also my best friends.

Favorite experience or most memorable moment as a student-athlete?

My most memorable moment as a student-athlete is winning the 200 backstroke at my last Big12’s and making NCAA’s.

Favorite tradition or ritual you or your team does?

My favorite tradition of our team is doing “secret psycher” the week before our championship meet, where we draw names, buy presents for each other, and give clues about our identities.

Who has made the biggest impact on you as a student-athlete?

My coaches have made the biggest impact on me as a student-athlete, because they taught me how to practice and how to become the best version of myself in the pool.

Favorite thing to do outside of athletics?

Traveling.

Favorite experience or most memorable moment as a student-athlete?

My most memorable moment as a student-athlete was the beginning of my junior year when I was put on scholarship. I had walked-on to the University of Kansas to play football, and those first two years were a grind physically, mentally, and financially. By the grace of God, the present coaching staff had faith in me and placed me on full academic scholarship. The best part about that memory was being flooded by my teammates at the announcement of it and sharing that special moment with my Jayhawk football family.

Favorite tradition or ritual you or your team does?

My favorite football tradition is Waving the Wheat when we score a touchdown. Being from Kansas myself, it’s an awesome tradition that pays homage to the state, and its mesmerizing to watch as a player.

Who has made the biggest impact on you as a student-athlete?

There hasn’t been just one person who has made the biggest impact on my time here as a student-athlete, but many. From older teammates like Daniel Wise and Josh Ehambe who acted as mentors to me to grow me in my abilities. To other present and former teammates who I walk along side with daily and they have become my very best friends and family such as Tom Barrett, Jelani Arnold, and many many others. My position coach Kwahn Drake continually impacts my time as a student athlete and challenges me every day to be a better man, student, and athlete. There are so many people to thank and shout out which goes to show how much of a family atmosphere KU has for its students and student athletes.

Favorite thing to do outside of athletics?

My favorite thing to do outside of Athletics is to be outdoors. Whether that’s hiking, hammocking, hunting, fishing, playing some sort of game, or simply watching the sunset. My favorite place to go in Lawrence to get outside is the North Shore Trails by Clinton Lake which leads to a place called Sander’s Mound which overlooks the whole lake.

Favorite experience or most memorable moment as a student-athlete?

I’ve only had one full, official racing season due to COVID so our Big 12 Championship race my freshman year is a race I’ll always remember. We came back from a deficit, walked through teams, and really came together as a boat. We’re finally getting back into racing 2Ks so I’m excited to make more of those memories.

Favorite tradition or ritual you or your team does?

After every regatta, we sing the alma mater incredibly off-key and do the Rock Chalk chant, surrounding our seniors in a circle before we break it down, loud and proud.

Who has made the biggest impact on you as a student-athlete?

It sounds cheesy but I wouldn’t be who I am as a student-athlete without my teammates. They’re some of the kindest, most resilient, most fun-loving people I know. They’ve taught me everything from racing hard to being a good human.

Favorite thing to do outside of athletics?

I’ve been really into watching Formula 1 racing lately? Anything to do with music is a mainstay though.