JEFF FIELDER Editor
KIMBALL – Brayden Tyan, a senior at Kimball High School, is Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Tyan had high hopes in football his junior season, but he dislocated his shoulder in the fourth game, causing him to miss the rest of that season. He entered his senior year with high hopes again in football as a running back, linebacker and kicker, but he dislocated his right shoulder in the third game, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. He had shoulder surgery Oct. 2. He said he’s mostly recovered from that injury and has big goals for this basketball season. He also competes in track and field (100, long jump, 4×100). His parents are Robert and Stephanie Tyan.
Q: How does your shoulder feel right now?
TYAN: “It’s feeling pretty good. I’m going to get cleared soon.”
Q: How devastating was it to suffer another season-ending injury in football this fall?
TYAN: “It was really hard because football is my main sport. I really wanted to play with the boys one more year, but it was ruined by a shoulder injury.”
Q: Talk about how hard you had trained during the offseason to get ready for the football season.
TYAN: “I was in the weight room every chance I could get. I wanted to keep getting better.”
Q: Since you had gotten injured your junior year, did you come into this season concerned about suffering another shoulder injury?
TYAN: “Last year it was just a freak deal because of the way I got hit. But this year, the doctors told me that every time you dislocate it, there’s a 50 percent chance it’s going to pop out again. So, I kind of had it in the back of my mind, but I tried not to think about it. I hoped to make it through the season.”
Q: After the injury, how tough was it to have to watch from the sideline instead of being in the games, especially being a senior?
TYAN: “It was really tough, but I still cheered on my teammates. I tried to enjoy the season through them.”
Q: It would have been easy to get really down after suffering an injury like that, but you didn’t do that. How important did you feel it was to remain positive for your teammates?
TYAN: “It was really important because I was named a team captain at the beginning of the year. I wanted to make sure my teammates still had fun out there, and I wanted them to know they had my support. I still wanted to help them however I could.”
Q: How did it make you feel to be named a team captain?
TYAN: “It meant a lot to me, knowing that they thought I could help lead the team”
Q: Are you going to try to play football in college?
TYAN: “Yes. That was the reason I had surgery – I want to play at the next level.”
Q: Have you decided which college you want to attend?
TYAN: “I’ve been talking to quite a few different coaches, and I went on an unofficial visit to UNK. I really liked it at UNK, so right now, it’s looking like I’ll go there.”
Q: How much are you looking forward to your last high school basketball season?
TYAN: “I’m really looking forward to it because I wasn’t able to play much with my friends in football. So, I’m hoping to have a good season with them in basketball.”
Q: What position do you play in basketball?
TYAN: “Forward and center.”
Q: What are your goals for this basketball season?
TYAN: “Mainly, I would just like for our team to make it to the state tournament.”
Q: How have your previous basketball seasons gone?
TYAN: “I feel like I’ve done pretty good. I got honorable mention in WTC last year, so I’m hoping to keep improving this year.”
Q: How important are the first few basketball games for Kimball?
TYAN: “They’re pretty important. I think they’ll show what our team can do.”
Q: What degree do you want to pursue in college?
TYAN: “I want to go into business administration.”
Q: Why business administration?
TYAN: “I talked with my business teacher, Wade Brashear, about that. He told me all about it, and that made me want to go into it.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed your high school career in Kimball up to this point?
TYAN: “I’ve really enjoyed it, being able to play sports and be with all of my friends.”
Q: Have you always lived in Kimball?
TYAN: “Yes, I have.”
Q: Have you enjoyed growing up in the Kimball community?
TYAN: “Yes, everyone is super friendly, and everyone knows each other. It’s a super supportive town.”
Q: Outside of sports, what do you like to do for fun?
TYAN: “I like to hang out with my friends.”
Q: What is your favorite class this year?
TYAN: “Probably my intro to business class. I find it interesting, and my teacher makes it fun.”
Q: Which coach has made the biggest impact on you?
TYAN: “I would say all of my coaches because all of them have had a major impact in my life. There’s just been so many people who have helped me throughout the years.”
Q: In your opinion, who is the kindest student at Kimball High School?
TYAN: “I’m not sure I could just pick one. There’s a lot of kind students here.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in the Kimball community.
TYAN: “I would say Tom Southard because he’s always at all of the events. He supports all of the kids, talking to them and making sure that they’re enjoying what they’re doing.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
TYAN: “I would say Windbreak.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
TYAN: “A steak.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Kimball, which one would it be and why?
TYAN: “Definitely Windbreak because I’ve known the family forever. They used to coach me when I was a kid. They’re very nice people.”
Q: Favorite type of music?
TYAN: “Hip hop.”
Q: Favorite TV show?
TYAN: “Supernatural.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
TYAN: “Yes, I have two – Myriah (21) and Aaspyn (12).”
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.
