FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Kyle Thomas, Cloverdale

Kyle is a senior at Cloverdale and participates in two sports, basketball and golf.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Kyle Thomas: “Sports are a big part of my life ever since I was little. I’ve been playing basketball and golf with my parents, my brother and sister, and it’s brought us all together as a family.”

BG: Talk about your sports.

OH: “I started playing basketball when my dad and grandpa brought me into it, so I’ve been playing it for my whole life. I have a love for it and am doing pretty well at it, I guess. With golf, my brother loves it and it’s good to be with your siblings and play. He’s doing basketball with me, so I decided to step up and play golf with him.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

OH: “I was playing AAU basketball my freshman year and was dunked on by (ESPN Class of 2022 No. 1 prospect) Shaedon Sharp, who is currently enrolled early at the University of Kentucky.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

OH: “I wake up, eat a Pop Tart and go to school. I don’t eat much throughout the day other than the Pop Tart. I then come back, listen to music and get ready to go.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?

OH: “As far as college, I have to say Cedarville University, where I am committed. In the NBA, I have to go with Damian Lillard and the Portland Trailblazers.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

OH: “I am a school ambassador, part of the JAG program, used to do 4-H and am a leader of the service team project, which is an event that, every year, we get everyone together and go to out in the community to do service projects like clean up at people’s houses.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

OH: “I like to play some video games, mainly 2K and Madden.”

BG: What are your favorites in movies, TV and music?

OH: “‘Talladega Nights’ is my favorite movie, ‘Family Guy’ is my favorite show and I like listening to Lil Baby.”

BG: Considering we actually had a winter storm recently that made this question very pertinent, what sort of ways did you entertain yourself while snowed in? Were you a person that wanted to watch TV shows and movies with Hulu and Netflix or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc.?

OH: “I went online and went shoe shopping. I’m a big shoe guy, mainly Jordans.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

OH: “I’m scared to death of heights but would like to go skydiving at some point in my life.”

BG: Well...takes the guess work out of your biggest fear, huh?

OH: “Yep.”

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

OH: “I’d have to grill some cheeseburgers and make some mac and cheese for my family.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

OH: “We have three dogs, Ruger and Lulu, both pitbulls, and Sadie, a golden retriever.”

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

OH: “I’d have to go in and grab my Jordans that could sell for around $600 right now.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

OH: “Fun. I’m a fun guy that likes doing fun things with my friends, my family and anybody else.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

OH: “Our vacation spot just about every year, which is Hilton Head Island, SC. We go jet skiing, paddleboarding, ride bikes around town and have a lot of fun dinners with the family.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

OH: “In third grade, when I moved to Cloverdale, we go to go to an (Indianapolis) Indians baseball game.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

OH: “I would say it’s definitely important to have support from everyone. It’s super helpful to have a group behind you, pushing you to do the right things all the time.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically

OH: “I’ve been a pretty good student throughout my school years. Athletically, I’ve had a fun time with everyone where it was at school or somewhere else. It’s been pretty fun.”

BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

OH: “German. My dad knows German and when he speaks it, I would like to know what he’s saying.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

OH: “I will be attending Cedarville University, playing basketball while in college, and will be looking to study business management to get into that mindset.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

OH: “I don’t think so. My parents have always stressed I was a student first and an athlete second, so I’ve always done homework before basketball games.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

OH: “I love all the teachers at Cloverdale. My dad was a teacher, so I’ve done a lot of growing up through all of Cloverdale schools. All of the teachers have been helpful to me.”

BG: In the future, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?

OH: “The beach. I love the ocean with the sand and everything.”

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

OH: “High school flew by for me. I’ll miss it and all the people around me.”