JEFF FIELDER Editor
ALLIANCE – Keeley Mazanec, a senior at Alliance High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. She’s entering her second year on the Bulldogs’ varsity softball team. She plays first base. This summer she played on the Alliance Aftershock traveling softball team. In addition, she’ll be entering her third season on the Bulldogs’ varsity basketball team. Also this school year, Mazanec plans to participate in A Club and Key Club. She’s also the president of the Health Professions Club at Box Butte General Hospital. She has a 3.4 GPA. After she graduates from high school, Mazanec plans to attend Western Nebraska Community College and later transfer to UNMC in Scottsbluff to obtain a BSN degree. Her parents are Lori and Bill Mazanec. For being named an Athlete of the Week, Mazanec will receive a gift card for a free drink at Scooter’s Coffee.
Q: How excited are you for this softball season?
MAZANEC: “I’m very excited. Even though we don’t know what’s going to happen this season because of COVID, we just want to take in what we can because we don’t know if [the softball season] will be taken away from us. So, we just want to enjoy it now and work for what we can.”
Q: What are your goals this season?
MAZANEC: “My personal goals are to play as many games as we can, work hard, be a good teammate to everybody, and, hopefully, play some first base and start on varsity.”
Q: How good can Alliance be this season?
MAZANEC: “I think we could be pretty good. We have a lot of speed, so we need to be smart base runners and get the ball in play. Our defense is pretty good this year, too.”
Q: How much do you enjoy playing first base?
MAZANEC: “I really enjoy playing first base. I never saw myself playing first base, but then [this summer] the coaches said, ‘Why don’t you try it.’” Note: Before playing first base, Mazanec played second base.
Q: How did things go for the Alliance Aftershock team this summer?
MAZANEC: “This summer was kind of a learning curve because we had a lot of seniors last year. We’re young, so our focus was on making sure everyone knew how to play their positions and how we could help the team the most.”
Q: What’s been the highlight of your athletic career so far?
MAZANEC: “My freshman and sophomore years I played volleyball, but then I decided to switch to softball. The softball team welcomed me and encouraged me to play. It was like a family. We clicked right away. That’s one thing I’ll always remember about high school sports — how the softball team welcomed me.”
Q: How good can Alliance be this next basketball season?
MAZANEC: “I think we can be pretty good because we have a lot of returning varsity lettermen, and we have a lot of girls who are committed to working hard and want to play basketball this year. I think we all get along really well. We have good team chemistry.”
Q: What is something that a coach has told you or your team that has really stuck with you?
MAZANEC: “Coach [Troy] Unzicker, our basketball coach, said that whether we win or lose, we’re always a family and we’re always there for each other.”
Q: Which class are you looking forward to the most this school year?
MAZANEC: “I’m looking forward to anatomy and physiology because it will be tough, but I think it will be something I’ll really enjoy, especially since that’s what I’m going into.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
MAZANEC: “I would say Coach [Carlos] Palomo. I’ve had him as either a coach or a teacher since seventh grade, and every year he’s been a big help to me. He’s really stressed to us that even if something is hard, you have to push through it – you need to keep working hard and not give up.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
MAZANEC: “I like to hang out with my family and go camping. We also like to take weeklong trips to the Black Hills with my aunt and uncle and our little cousins.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Alliance?
MAZANEC: “I’ve really enjoyed growing up in Alliance because you pretty much know everyone you see. I feel like it’s a community where everyone helps everybody. I’ve decided that I might like to come back here [after college].”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
MAZANEC: “My favorite local restaurant is Mi Ranchito.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
MAZANEC: “I like their chips and Queso, but I also like their enchiladas.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
MAZANEC: “I think Chimney Rock is a pretty popular attraction, but I also think Carhenge is pretty cool.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at your school?
MAZANEC: “I would say Peyton Kindred. She’s a sophomore. She’s a very kind person. She’s super sweet and is always there for people. I’ve never heard her say a bad thing about anyone.”
Q: Do you work?
MAZANEC: “Yes, I work at Scooter’s Coffee. I’ve worked there since they opened a little over two years ago. I really like that job. You get to know the regulars, but it’s also fun meeting new people who come through there. Also, I love everybody I work with.”
Q: What is your favorite drink at Scooter’s?
MAZANEC: “My favorite drink is Peanut Butter Caramelicious.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
MAZANEC: “Yes, I have a little sister who is 11, Kaelyn. She’ll be a sixth-grader.”
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.
