VYPE: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in softball?
Kinsley Johnson: My mom signed me up when I was little, and I enjoyed it, so I kept playing.
VYPE: What inspired you to play softball, and who are your biggest influences?
KJ: My biggest influences are Jayda Coleman and Grace Lyons.
VYPE: How would you describe the team’s chemistry this season?
KJ: This year, we’re all really close and have a lot of fun together.
VYPE: What is your specific role on the team, and how do you prepare for it?
KJ: My role is to help keep our energy up and not get down on ourselves during a game. I prepare by just coming with a positive mindset every day.
VYPE: What are your goals and hopes for the 2024 season?
KJ: My hope for this season is to go farther than last year and win state.
VYPE: What has been the most challenging moment in your softballcareer so far, and how did you overcome it?
KJ: The most challenging part were mental blocks during my freshman season, but I overcame them by getting out of my head and staying positive.
VYPE: Where do you see yourself in five years, both in softballand outside of it?
KJ: I see myself out of Hugo, playing college ball and studying to be a nurse.
VYPE: How important is community support to the team, and in what ways does it impact your performance?
KJ: It’s very important when people come to cheer us on; it helps me play better.
VYPE: What advice would you give to younger players aspiring to play high school softball?
KJ: Have fun and be coachable.
VYPE: Who do you look up to as a role model, both on and off the field?
KJ: I look up to my mom and my grandmother.
VYPE: Looking back, what are you most proud of in your softballcareer at Hugo High School?
KJ: I’m most proud of how far I’ve come since freshman year.
VYPE: Is there anyone you’d like to thank for supporting you throughout your journey?
KJ: I’d like to thank my family and my coaches.
