JEFF FIELDER Editor
ALLIANCE – Crayten Cyza, a senior at Alliance High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Cyza, who’s in his first year as a starting point guard for the Bulldog varsity boys basketball team, helped Alliance win the Western Conference Tournament this weekend. Cyza is also a talented golfer. He was Alliance’s top golfer his freshman and sophomore years. He placed 12th at the state golf tournament his sophomore year. Also at school, Cyza is the vice president of the A-Club. He has a 3.75 GPA. After he graduates from high school, he plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he wants to major in professional golf management. His parents are Pam and Jim Cyza. For being named an Athlete of the Week, Cyza will receive a gift card for a free drink at Scooter’s Coffee.
Q: How exciting was it to win the season-opening Western Conference Basketball Tournament?
CYZA: “It was really exciting. That’s the first time we’ve ever won that tournament since it started 17 years ago. To play on the road and get those wins was a good accomplishment.”
Q: Did you like Alliance’s chances of winning the tournament going into the event?
CYZA: “Ever since I started playing on the traveling basketball team, we’ve kind of been the team to beat in the area. We knew we would have a chance to win it, but we also knew we would have to play our best.”
Q: How do you feel like Alliance played overall in the tournament?
CYZA: “We had a few dry spells where we couldn’t get the ball in the hoop, and we had miscommunication at times. But as the games go along, I think we’ll get those problems figured out and we’ll be a lot better team.”
Q: What are your expectations for Alliance this season?
CYZA: “I think all of us hope we can win as many games as possible and make it to state.”
Q: What makes Alliance such a strong team this year?
CYZA: “I think we’re all unselfish with the basketball. No one wants to take all of the shots. Also, we’ve been playing together since we were in fourth or fifth grade, so I think our team chemistry is really good.”
Q: How does it feel to be a starter this season?
CYZA: “I got a lot of playing time last year, but it’s different this year. I feel like I need to step up more and be a good leader. I’ll probably look to shoot more than I did last year, and I want to help create good shots for my teammates.”
Q: How much do you enjoy being a point guard?
CYZA: “I really like it. It’s fun to kind of control the pace of the game and push the ball up the floor.”
Q: How much are you looking forward to the golf season in the spring?
CYZA: “I’m really looking forward to it. I just hope we have a season, especially since the last season got cancelled [due to the COVID outbreak].”
Q: Just how disappointed were you that last year’s golf season got cancelled?
CYZA: “I was very disappointed. I had placed 12th at state the year before, so I was hoping to get into the top 10 at state last season. It made me sad that I didn’t get that chance.”
Q: What are your goals for this next golf season?
CYZA: “I just want to play within myself and try not to worry about other players. I want to do the best I can and, hopefully, make it to state. I’d like to finish in the top 10 at state.”
Q: As far as college, what got you interested in pursuing a professional golf management degree?
CYZA: “It kind of started two or three years ago when I went to Texas to work with my aunt, who was the general manager of a golf course there. I helped out, and that’s when I realized that golf is a game that I really enjoy, and I wanted to make a career out of it.”
Q: Specifically, what would you like to do for a career?
CYZA: “I’d like to be a golf pro. I think it would be fun to teach kids how to play golf.”
Q: When did you develop a passion for playing golf?
CYZA: “When I was little, my grandpa took me to the driving range, and he taught me everything he knew. My interest in golf has grown over the years. I got really serious about it my eighth-grade year.”
Q: Do you hope to keep playing golf after high school?
CYZA: “If an opportunity comes up, then, yes, I would like to play college golf.”
Q: How is your senior year of school going overall?
CYZA: “It’s been a blast. I love my senior year.”
Q: Are you sad that this is your last year of high school, or are you eager to get your college career started?
CYZA: “It’s a little of both. I’m going to miss high school, but I know I have to grow up and go into the real world.”
Q: What is your favorite class this school year?
CYZA: “We have a class called Lifetime Sports and Leisure. It’s like a PE class. I really like that class.”
Q: Over the years, which teacher or coach has made the biggest influence on you?
CYZA: “Probably Michael Baker because he’s always believed in my athletic abilities to help lead the teams I’ve been on. He’s also helped me grow as a person.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Alliance?
CYZA: “I’ve really enjoyed it. Our community is great. Everyone is so supportive and cares about what’s going on. People are willing to help others.”
Q: During your free time, what do you like to do?
CYZA: “I like to hang out with my friends and play video games.”
Q: What’s your favorite video game?
CYZA: “NBA 2K.”
Q: What’s your favorite type of music?
CYZA: “Hip hop.”
Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
CYZA: “The Office.”
Q: What’s your favorite restaurant in Alliance?
CYZA: “Dairy Queen.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
CYZA: “The mac and cheese burger.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Alliance High School?
CYZA: “Mario Garza. He’s a senior. He’s really nice to everyone. He’s really funny, too.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in the Alliance community.
CYZA: “The Alliance Legion baseball team likes to volunteer to help people around the area.”
Q: What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled to?
CYZA: “This last summer I went to Oregon. I went with my girlfriend’s family. It was the first time I saw the ocean. It was breathtaking.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Alliance, which one would it be and why?
CYZA: “Shelmadine Print Shop because they do so much for our school and athletes. They do a great job, and they have great items in their store.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
CYZA: “I have one brother, Parker, and I have two sisters: Kennedy and Emersen.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC – American Family Insurance, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
