VYPE: What position are you playing and what’s the most difficult thing about it?
Kennedy Walker: I play shortstop and third base. The hardest part is probably how quickly you have make decisions. Every play can be different, and you have to know where you’re going with the ball before it gets to you. I actually enjoy the pressure and find I work best that way.
VYPE: What do you love most about your team and teammates at Norman North?
KW: I love how close our team is. We spend so much time together, and some of my best friends are on this team. We know when to have fun, but we also know when it’s time to lock-in and compete. We genuinely love each other and we want everyone to succeed.
VYPE: Who inspires you? Explain.
KW: I have a lot of great inspirations in my life, but I’d have to say my parents are my biggest inspiration. They have taught me that if I want something I have to work for it. They’ve sacrificed a lot for me to play softball and have always supported my goals. They always tell me to dream big and that’s what I am doing.
VYPE: Which teammate is the most vocal and who has the best celebrations?
KW: I think I am very vocal on the field; I am definitely the loudest. I want my teammates to be engaged, pumped up and doing their best. I would have to say Kinlie Melton has the best celebrations. She is always fired up and has so much emotion in a good way.
VYPE: Do you play any other sports or belong to any clubs or groups at school?
KW: Softball takes up most of my time outside of school. Between Norman North and travel ball, I play pretty much year-round. Academics are my top priority, so I spend a lot of time balancing softball with my classes. I also am vice president of Project Linus at school. It’s a club that makes blankets for children in the hospital. It’s important to me to always find time to give back to my community.
VYPE: What current or former teammate left an impression on you and in what way?
KW: Jules Linares really left an impression on me because of how she carried herself. She worked hard, was a great teammate, a wonderful leader and always made the younger players feel like they belonged. That’s something I try to do now.
VYPE: What grade are you in and what would you like to do after you graduate?
KW: I’m a Junior. After high school, I want to play college softball at a school with really strong academics. I’m still deciding exactly what I want to study, but I’m really interested in business/finance.
VYPE: What lesson did you learn last year that will help you this season?
KW: I learned not to let one bad at bat or one mistake affect the rest of game. Softball is a game of failure, and you have to be able to move on quickly. I’ve gotten much better at staying in the moment.
VYPE: What’s the strength of your game and what are you working on to improve?
KW: I think one of my biggest strengths is I’m a tough out at the plate. I don’t strike out very often and I bring power to my at bats. Defensively, I think my quick release and arm strength are my biggest advantages. I am always working to improve my consistency at the plate.
