FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Kylie Rust, North Putnam

Kylie is a senior at North Putnam and participates in two sports, volleyball and cheerleading.

———

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

Kylie Rust: “They are very important to me. I’m kind of sad that they’re over but I’ve learned a lot from them. What it means be to be part of your community and what you can do for others through your sports, like being a teammate, a friend and a leader. It brings a lot of happiness and joy to kids my age, so it’s fun to be a part of.”

BG: Talk about your sports.

KR: ““I did cheerleading over the summer and for football. I did cheerleading when I was really little and hadn’t done in until this summer. I thought it would be fun to do something else senior year. Volleyball is something I’ve done since elementary school. It was my favorite sport and I’ve stuck with it since.”

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

KR: “In seventh or eighth grade, I was playing club volleyball. I was serving but I got nervous because my toss was bad so I set the ball over the net in front of everyone. We lost the point.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

KR: “It’s kind of the same as everything else. I go to school, we have our team dinner after school, I get homework done, warm up a little bit, watch the JV game, finish warm ups and then I’m ready to play.

BG: Coming into this season, you had been a front row players for the volleyball team but at a certain point in the 2022 season, you went from front row to libero until the end of the season. Take me through how that happened.

KR: “Last year, I was strictly a hitter. My shoulder started hurting around the county tournament during my junior year. Over the summer, I was playing all the way around, including hitting right side and playing in the back row. During practices and stuff, I couldn’t hit. I would pass the entire practice because it would put too much stress on me to do both and still play in games the way the coaches wanted me to play. It got to a point where, during the Northview game, that I had to go up to Jenny (Heron) and told her she couldn’t put me in the lineup to swing any more. I couldn’t hit. I didn’t know what she wanted me to do but she told me to go switch my jersey and that was that.”

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

KR: “Next week, I get to go see the University of Texas play volleyball, which I’ve been wanting to do for so long. The program is really cool and I get to go to Greg Stadium in Austin to watch.”

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

KR: “I’m a JAG officer, a student council officer and go to a lot of sporting events while being part of Pep Club. I like to be involved in volunteer work with the food pantry and do tutoring. I like helping people, so any club that does that, I’m in.”

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

KR: “I read. A lot. I like shopping for books. I also hang out with my sister and my friends.”

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

KR: “I like reading and watching movies, more than watching TV. I love the ‘Harry Potter’ series. I also love Marvel and watch Disney movies. With music, it changes all the time. Right now, I’m in to country but by next week, I’ll be back in to rap or something and whatever big song is on TikTok.”

BG: Are you a person that wants to watch TV shows and movies or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc.?

KR: “I’ll watch TikTok first even though I also like to watch movies and read.”

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

KR: “I’ve never ridden a dirtbike. I’ve been going to a lot of races and they look so good at it but I know it’s not that easy and I want to learn how.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

KR: “I’m really afraid of heights. Things like ladders, the ferris wheel, you can’t get me to do those.”

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

KR: “I would probably make chicken tenders and mac and cheese.

BG: Do you have any pets?

KR: “At my dad’s, I don’t know what breed it is but she is a little blind dog, Punky. My sister has a gecko and we have cats at my mom’s house.”

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?

KR: “My teddy bear. Hands down. I’m beelining for it.”

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

KR: “Chill. I get along with most people and do my own thing.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

KR: “Barnes and Noble.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

KR: “This is the only one I can think of but in fifth grade, we went to Lucas Oil Stadium. That was cool.”

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

KR: “They go together and I get a lot of support from them but I feel like I have to do well to make everyone proud. It helps when everyone is supportive, I can do that and make everyone happy.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.

KR: “I have really liked it. The hardest part of being a senior is that I keep doing things for the last time and I’m really going to miss it because of how good it’s been here. I don’t think a there is a team around here that is as close as our volleyball team. North Putnam in general is a really good place. Our teachers and coaches are supportive and there’s always somebody who can help you with finding answers or whatever else you need. It’s been a good place to grow up and learn.”

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

KR: “I think the only thing I could ask for is a higher level of math. I take AP Calculus but if I could take another class, I would.”

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

KR: “I’m looking to get into Purdue to get a degree in supply-chain management. From there, I would want to get a job in the business field and figure out what based on the skills I pick up in college. I really like marketing and design, so I might try to be to be part of a place that designs things.”

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

KR: “Yes and no. We’ve structured it so that we have time to get our work done and our coaches are understanding of the fact we need to get home to do our homework. I don’t think I’ve had too much trouble getting stuff done but there are times when you have a five-set game on the road that butts in to your time to get work done and study. I think my grades are better during volleyball season when I’m focused on getting them done.”

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

KR: “The teacher that has helped me the most in high school is Mrs. Spencer, who is also on the volleyball coaching staff. She has been the most impactful teacher I’ve had, not only in the classroom but the lessons she’s taught me. Our math department in general is so great. I’ve really felt connected with the department and the classes. There’s not a bad teacher in the school. They all have really good qualities about them.”

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

KR: “I’m definitely a city person and would be okay living there.”

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

KR: “Yes. High school has gone incredibly fast, especially with COVID and not being here on the time. I’m going to miss it so much. I’m so sad that it’s ending but I’m happy with the things that I’ve learned here.”