JEFF FIELDER Editor
BAYARD – Jack Kildow, a senior at Bayard High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Kildow is in his fourth year as a starter on Bayard’s football team. A quarterback and defensive back, Kildow helped lead the Tigers to a season-opening 26-20 win over Morrill last week. Kildow also plays basketball; he’s started the last three years. Also at school, Kildow participates in FFA and National Honor Society, and he’s also on a student lead team. Outside of school, he’s involved at his church, Faith United Church of Christ in Bayard. After high school, he plans to attend college and major in either athletic training or engineering. His parents are Jeff and Kim Kildow.
Q: How pleased are you with how Bayard performed against Morrill?
KILDOW: “I feel like we performed pretty good. Overall, I thought we performed a lot better than I thought we would for our first game. I thought we played really well as a team. We had a great game plan coming from the coaches, and all of us executed it pretty well.”
Q: What are your goals this season?
KILDOW: “One of our team goals is to make the playoffs and have a winning record. Personally, I would like to go the whole season without throwing an interception, and I would like to pass for over 1,000 yards.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed playing quarterback and defensive back?
KILDOW: “I enjoy them a lot because I grew up playing quarterback and defensive back when I was little. Also, the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve enjoyed playing defense because I understand it more and how much it means to the team’s success.”
Q: How does this year’s Bayard football team compare to the last three teams you’ve played on?
KILDOW: “I think this year all of us have a strong bond with each other. All of us trust each other, and all of us know each other pretty well. Just our overall team camaraderie is a lot different this year. I think this is the closest group I’ve been with.”
Q: Which sport do you like better: football or basketball?
KILDOW: “That’s a tough question. I enjoy both a lot, but I probably like basketball a little better.”
Q: What is your top athletic achievement up to this point in your career?
KILDOW: “One of my personal ones was receiving the athletic letter for the senior class.”
Q: What football game are you looking forward to the most this season?
KILDOW: “I would have said Morrill, but that one is already gone. But another one I’m looking forward to is Perkins County because last year it was a good game, and we ended up winning by a touchdown. I don’t think they lost anybody from last year, and we lost three starters, so I think it will be a good, competitive game. I’m looking forward to it also because it’s our homecoming.”
Q: What is something that a coach has told you or your team that has really stuck with you?
KILDOW: “I had a football coach two years ago, Jacob Martin, who always told me to believe in myself, to be the best person I can be every day, and to always try to make someone else’s day better regardless of what’s going on in my life. Something else that stands out came from another football coach, Zach Nesbitt. He always told me to never give up, to never give in to adversity, and to keep striving to be the best person I can be every single day.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity at school?
KILDOW: “Probably FFA because I like to weld a lot. I like to work on cars and trucks and stuff like that – I find that stuff interesting – so that’s why I like FFA. Also, I have a good teacher, Justin Rafferty.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
KILDOW: “I would say Mr. Nesbitt. I look up to him a lot because of the everyday attitude that he has. He always has a positive attitude, and he’s a very determined person. He’s a very determined man. He knows how to get the job done. He’s a really positive guy, and he’s always there to help you whenever you need help.”
Q: What do you like to do for fun outside of your school activities?
KILDOW: “I like to help my grandpa on the farm. I also like to hang out with my friends. Usually, we’ll just sit back and relax and listen to music, watch TV or play video games.”
Q: What is your favorite video game?
KILDOW: “Madden 20.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
KILDOW: “I would say QB1. It’s a Netflix series.”
Q: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
KILDOW: “I like all kinds of music, but I especially like 80s and 90s and heavy metal.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Bayard?
KILDOW: “I’ve really enjoyed it. There’s a lot of strong community support here. Everybody supports each other.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant in area?
KILDOW: “Asian Buffet. I eat there a ton.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
KILDOW: “I’d say Chimney Rock. Despite everything it’s been through, it still stands as tall as it is. It has a cool history to it. It’s cool to sit up there and look at it and everything that surrounds Chimney Rock.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at your school?
KILDOW: “Christian Leonard. He and I are really close. He’s my neighbor, and I work out with him during the summer for sports. He and I have a really strong bond. He’s hard working and is a nice kid. He has a good heart. He’s a senior.”
Q: Do you work?
KILDOW: “Yes, I work on the farm for my grandpa.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
KILDOW: “Yes, Avery Kildow (20). She’s going to WNCC. She’s a sophomore there.”
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.
