JEFF FIELDER Editor
CHADRON – Peyton Underwood, who graduated from Chadron High School in May, is this week’s Nspire Today! Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. In high school, she competed in basketball and softball. Other activities that she was involved in were FCA, Interact, and Cardinals Committed. In basketball, she started her junior and senior years as a post. She recently played in the Panhandle Prep All-Star Basketball Game. In softball, she started all four years at first base. Her parents are Chrystal Brooks and Chad Underwood.
Q: How much did you enjoy playing in the Panhandle Prep All-Star Basketball Game?
UNDERWOOD: “It was a great experience being able to play with the girls that I played against all season. It was fun getting to know them better.”
Q: Describe how your basketball career went overall?
UNDERWOOD: “I was always undersized as a post player; I was shorter [5-7], so I always had to play with a lot of heart.”
Q: How much fun did you have your last two years of basketball?
UNDERWOOD: “Our junior year we struggled a little bit more – we only had one senior on the team so we were super young – but my senior year it seemed like we came together as a team more. It was amazing. It was so much fun.”
Q: What is your top memory from your basketball career?
UNDERWOOD: “My top memory from basketball is probably going to state my freshman year. That was a great experience. I have a lot of other good memories, too. I just loved playing the game.”
Q: Talk about how your high school softball career went.
UNDERWOOD: “Softball was the sport that I focused on the most throughout high school. I really enjoyed softball. My favorite memory from softball was our state experience my junior year. We were playing in one of the games and we were down by two runs, and it was the last inning. We were up to bat, and there was a girl on first, and I hit a home run to tie the game. That took it to extra innings.”
Q: Are you done competing in sports, or are you planning to continue playing sports in college?
UNDERWOOD: “It was a hard decision to make, but I chose to go into nursing instead of playing softball.”
Q: Where are you going to college?
UNDERWOOD: “I’m attending Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City for nursing.”
Q: How long did you juggle whether to play softball in college or not?
UNDERWOOD: “My whole junior and senior years I really struggled with it. I was going to try to do both, but a few coaches told me it would be hard to juggle both, and nursing has always been my big dream. So, I ended up choosing the nursing route.”
Q: How long have you wanted to be a nurse?
UNDERWOOD: “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. My grandma ran a daycare, Sunshine Day Care in Chadron, and I helped there. I loved interacting with children. I wanted to be an OB nurse. That’s where I was leaning, but after job shadowing my senior year, I loved surgery, so now I’m going into that. I just love interacting with people. I love helping people. That’s why I chose this career path.”
Q: Why did you pick Western Dakota Tech?
UNDERWOOD: “It was very hands on. That’s what I liked about it. It’s a great college. Also, I love Rapid City. It’s not too far from home.”
Q: Will it be a big adjustment for you, not playing sports this next school year?
UNDERWOOD: “It’s been hard. This is the first summer that I can remember that I haven’t played softball. It’s been hard for me to just sit and watch instead of being out there playing.”
Q: How much did you enjoy your senior year of high school?
UNDERWOOD: “My senior year was awesome. I really enjoyed every moment of it. I did very well academically, and athletically, I felt my junior and senior years went well.”
Q: Even though you’ll be focusing on nursing, do you still plan to play sports in some capacity?
UNDERWOOD: “Yes, I’ve looked into coed softball in the summer.”
Q: Which coach has influenced you the most over the years?
UNDERWOOD: “I would say Shelley Dunbar. She was my softball coach during the summer travel seasons. She really helped me improve.”
Q: Which teacher has made the biggest difference in your life?
UNDERWOOD: “I would say Mr. [Willie] Uhing. He was always so positive, and I just enjoyed being in his class and being around him during the day. He taught English.”
Q: Outside of school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
UNDERWOOD: “I grew up on a ranch, so it’s always been fun to be involved in those type of activities, like brandings. I’ve also really liked calving season. Besides those things, I also like to spend time with my family. During the summer, I love going to the lake.”
Q: Are you involved in 4-H?
UNDERWOOD: “Yes, I started when I was 8. I stopped doing it when I was a freshman because it interfered with sports too much. I had a hard time raising 4-H animals when I was away all the time playing softball.”
Q: Have you lived in Chadron your whole life?
UNDERWOOD: “Yes.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed living in Chadron?
UNDERWOOD: “It’s been nice growing up in a small-town atmosphere. I’ve loved it. It’s been fun.”
Q: What’s the coolest place in Chadron, in your opinion?
UNDERWOOD: “Probably the bowling alley, Hilltop Lanes. I love bowling. It’s a fun atmosphere there.”
Q: Where is the best place to eat in Chadron?
UNDERWOOD: “Runza. It just opened not too long ago.”
Q: So what do you like to order at Runza?
UNDERWOOD: “I like their chicken strips, but my favorite item is their cheese Runza.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music to listen to?
UNDERWOOD: “Country. I love country – old country.”
Q: Who’s your favorite music artist?
UNDERWOOD: “Rascal Flatts.”
Q: Who do you think is the kindest person in Chadron?
UNDERWOOD: “I would probably say Shelley Dunbar. I really love her.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
UNDERWOOD: “I have two brothers [Taylor Wild, 22; and Braden Underwood, 14], and one sister [Brynn Brooks, 5].”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, 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. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in June to Camp Scott.
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.
