JEFF FIELDER Editor
MITCHELL – Blake Thyne, a senior at Mitchell High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Thyne competed in football and basketball, and he was planning to play golf this spring. In basketball, Thyne, a guard, was recently selected to the All-Western Trails Conference First Team. His grade-point average is 3.8. His parents are Holly and Jason Thyne.
Q: How do you feel things went for Mitchell’s basketball team this season?
THYNE: “Overall, I thought we had a great season. We didn’t quite make it to state, but I thought we got a lot better as a team as the season went along.”
Q: What do you feel are the top one or two highlights for Mitchell from this basketball season?
THYNE: “I thought our top highlight was making it to the sub-state game. Even though we lost, it was fun to get there. Another highlight was just enjoying playing with each other. We didn’t have any problems on the team. We had fun every game.”
Q: How do you feel your basketball season went individually?
THYNE: “I don’t think it was my best season stat-wise. I was coming back from an injury last year, but as far as having fun playing, it was great. Our team had good chemistry, and I got to play with my younger brother [Austin, a sophomore], which was fun. It was a good season overall.”
Q: Talk a little more about what it was like to play basketball with your brother this season.
THYNE: “It was a lot of fun. We’ve played basketball our whole lives in the driveway and at the YMCA and other places, so it was fun to play with each other instead of against each other this season. Obviously, we had a little sibling rivalry going on in practices, but in the games, we were fine. We had great chemistry.”
Q: How did it make you feel to be named to the All-WTC First Team in basketball?
THYNE: “It’s a big honor. There’s quite a few good players in the conference, so it’s nice to be recognized with those people.”
Q: How much are you going to miss playing basketball, especially playing on the team with your brother?
THYNE: “Basketball was kind of up and down for me just because I had a lot of injuries, but I’m definitely going to miss the competitive part of it. I’ll be able to shoot hoops for the rest of my life, so I’ll be fine with that. But I’ll miss the competitive part of it, for sure.”
Q: Talk about how your football season went.
THYNE: “Our football season didn’t go as well as we wanted it to go, but we had quite a few new guys. I felt like from a learning standpoint, we definitely improved a lot from the first game to the last game. Our coaches did a great job.”
Q: What positions did you play in football?
THYNE: “I played quarterback and safety.”
Q: You said you were planning to play golf this spring?
THYNE: “I’ve played golf my whole life – just not on the golf team. But I was looking forward to playing on the golf team this year for a couple reasons. The first reason is that my brother is on the golf team, and he’s quite the golfer, so any chance I can play a sport with him is fun. Another reason is that I really like the other kids, and I really like the coach [Nick Kuxhausen]. He’s my football coach as well. He’s great at coaching and just being there for you. He’s a great person in general. So, anytime I can learn and play along with him is a great opportunity for me.”
Q: How disappointed are you that you won’t get a chance to play golf for Mitchell this season because of the coronavirus?
THYNE: “It’s definitely disappointing, but there’s not much I can do about it. When it’s over, I’m still going to play with my coach and my brother and the kids that we golf with.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
THYNE: “I’m going to Chadron State, and I’m majoring in biology or pre-med. Then I will hopefully get into medical school because I want to be an orthopedic surgeon.”
Q: Why did you pick Chadron State College?
THYNE: “The first reason is because of what I’ve heard about it. I’ve talked to a lot of people in the medical field around here, and everyone said they have a great undergrad program. I also got to go on some trips to Chadron State, and all the teachers seemed to really care about the students even outside of school.”
Q: How did you develop an interest in being an orthopedic surgeon?
THYNE: “Well, my dad was a physical therapist, and I’ve been in and out of orthopedic offices because of my injuries. I’ve had knee injuries and shoulder injuries, so I’ve been around it quite a bit in my high school career. I love what they do, and I would love to be able to help other people.”
Q: Have you always lived in Mitchell?
THYNE: “No, I grew up in Kearney until about fifth grade. Then we moved to Lemon, South Dakota, which is a small town of about 1,000 people. We lived there for a couple years, and then we moved to Mitchell when I was in seventh grade.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed living in Mitchell?
THYNE: “I’ve enjoyed it, especially being able to connect with Coach Kuxhausen as both a teacher and a coach. He’s been there for all of us kids. Also, I’ve made some good friends – not just in Mitchell but also from teams we’ve played around the Panhandle.”
Q: While you’ve lived in Mitchell, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
THYNE: “I would say Mrs. [Jordan] Gonzales. She’s one of my English teachers, and she was also my boss this summer [at the Mitchell public pool], so she’s become someone I go to for help, whether it’s in the classroom or outside of school. She’s pretty involved with us kids, and she’s willing to help any way she can.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Mitchell High School?
THYNE: “I would say Ansley Hessler. She’s one of the smartest kids in our class, and she’s always willing to help people. She’s really kind. She’s always polite.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
THYNE: “I love hunting and fishing. I try to do as much of that as I can. I also like playing video games, and I also like hanging out with my friends.”
Q: What is your favorite video game?
THYNE: “Rainbow Six Siege.”
Q: What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever traveled to?
THYNE: “The Bahamas. I went on a cruise to the Bahamas when I was in elementary school with my family.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
THYNE: “It’s not really a place, but I would say waterfowl hunting. I like to hunt, and along the Platte River is a great place to shoot waterfowl. That’s probably my favorite thing to do around here.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business around here, which one would it be?
THYNE: “American Family Insurance. My mom works there, and I’m a janitor there.”
Q: What are your three favorite apps on your cell phone?
THYNE: “YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
THYNE: “Ayala’s on the Fairway. It’s the restaurant at the Mitchell golf course.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in your community.
THYNE: “I would say Jenny Batt. She photographs all of the sporting events. She takes pictures and puts them on Facebook for everyone to use.”
Q: Do you have any other siblings besides Austin?
THYNE: “Yes, I have another younger brother, Ethan. He’s a seventh-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.
