Hannah Kendall has tried her hand at just about every sport, but when it comes to high school commitments, she has devoted herself to her two strongest passions. The incoming Wright City senior has been a three-year varsity contributor on the softball team and was a charter member of the soccer program that began during her freshman year.

While growing up, Kendall also participated in dance, cheer and gymnastics.

“I fell in love with softball and soccer and those are the two sports I’ve focused on the last two years,” said Kendall, whose twin brother plays baseball and soccer. “He’s really pushed me to be the player I am today.”

She has pitched and played shortstop and outfield for the Wildcats. Last year Kendall was 2-4 as a starter with 26 earned runs allowed through 30 innings pitched. She batted .362, recording 25 hits, while scoring 32 runs and delivering 16 RBI.

While her last soccer season was disrupted by the COVID-19, this year she and her teammates were back in the nets. Kendall played striker, wing and occasionally defense.

In the future, Kendall said she would like to become an occupational therapy assistant and move to Colorado to explore more of the world.

Q: What do you enjoy most about sports?

“I really like getting to know my teammates and flowing together and making different memories with everybody while bonding. It’s more of a bonding thing for me and having fun on the field.”

Q: How did you get involved in pitching?

“I started in 10U and continued in 14U. I kind of stopped pitching for two years and this year I got back into it for the high school team to have another arm in case one of the other pitchers got tired.”

Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment?

“Throwing a no-hitter over the weekend against a team from Colorado. As a team, probably winning my first-ever tournament was a big deal for us, because we’d never been in a big tournament before, so winning it was pretty big.”

Q: What are your best skills as a hitter?

“My speed so I can really lay down a bunt if I need to.”

Q: What was it like being a part of the first soccer program?

“It was really fun, because a lot of us hadn’t played in years, so us all coming together and having the season we did was pretty cool to experience. We made a lot of great memories together.”

Q: What goals do you have for senior year?

“Hopefully to win districts in each sport and continue making memories and building bigger and better friendships with each teammate.”

Q: What’s piqued your interest in being an occupational therapist?

“Just helping people. I feel like I really do well at that. I think it would be rewarding knowing you’re making a difference in somebody else’s life.”

Q: What’s your favorite topic to learn?

“I really like math. This year I took college algebra, which was pretty challenging. It was still really fun to do. I really like science. Not too difficult, but hard enough that it still challenges me.”

Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?

“My dad has always pushed me to be the player I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”

Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

“l’d like to go to Australia, because I have seen pictures, and it looks so beautiful and the Great Coral Reef is something I’d like to see in person.”

Q: What is a lesson you’ve learned during COVID-19?

“I’ve learned that I can’t take anything for granted and have to play every game like it’s my last, and I need to spend more time with the people I’m closest with.”

Q: If you could change something about the world, what would it be?

“I would change how people look at each other, because I feel like we are all so quick to judge without knowing peoples' stories. I feel like if that were to change, things would be much better.”

Q: What are three words to describe you?

“Understanding, caring and respectful.”

Favorite food: Fried chicken

Favorite restaurant: Denny's

Favorite movie: “The Sandlot”

Favorite TV show: “NCIS”

Favorite song: “Chicken Fried”

Favorite musician: Luke Combs