Junior Kylee Hogue, sporting number 25 on the varsity softball team this year, is full of life and enthusiasm. Not only is she an athletic player, but an optimistic player, on and off the field.
Hogue has been playing sports since she was nine years old and has been involved in high school girls basketball and softball since her freshman year.
“The best athletes are the ones that take their god-given talents and improve them. That description seems to fit Kylee,” said Ron Ence, the girls basketball coach.
Hogue plays short stop on the softball team and bats fourth in the line-up. She said that she has the “heart and a fire” for games. She wants to make her team look good and win games.
Hogue said that her batting idol was Babe Ruth. “I point my bat where Babe did. He made so many home runs,” said Hogue.
Head Softball Coach, Emily Bateman, loves the strength Hogue brings to the team.
“Kylee is an awesome hitter and a hard worker. She is a hustler and always energetic. She’s expected to be pumped up for a game.”
Bateman said Hogue doesn’t have any weaknesses, but then added, “I don’t know if you would call this a weakness, but she tries to tame her energy. It gets over the top.”
The nickname many of her peers know her by is Hogie. Her nickname is a family tradition to be called by that name and has been passed down the line in the Hogue family.
Not only is she actively involved in fitness, but a leader in HOPE squad. Hogue is determined to get good grades and loves to learn new things every day. She enjoys helping others, making friendships and people laugh and feel good.
Hogue’s most memorable experience in softball is when she was ten years old, playing in the championship game, barely making it in with the losers bracket, having to win the two games in the championships. Her team won the first game, but lost the second.
“It was good to see how far we’d come as a team and the hard work and effort we put in,” said Hogue.
Softball teammate, senior Annie Thomas, said that she has learned a lot from Hogue. “I was walking down the hall and saw Kylee talking to a custodian like they were best friends. She is aware that everybody has a story and she listens. It showed me to be nicer to people and reach out more.”
Aside from her sports life at school, Hogue loves spending time with her family, including one brother and two sisters, and participating in nature activities like camping and jet skiing.
She also enjoys finding inspirational quotes to keep her going, doing arts and crafts, and would like to travel to multiple places.
Her favorite quote at the moment is, “The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare” by Juma Ikangaa.