JEFF FIELDER Editor
MITCHELL – Kadin Perez, a 2021 Mitchell High School graduate, is Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Month for July, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Perez was a three-sport standout at Mitchell, competing in football, wrestling and track and field. He was one of the top track and field athletes in western Nebraska, and he capped his prep career with his third trip to the state meet in Omaha. He earned a third-place medal in the 200-meter run and a fifth-place finish in the 100. As a freshman, he placed eighth in both the 100 and 200, and he helped Mitchell win the Class C 4×100 relay. His career-best times are 11.03 in the 100 and 22.29 in the 200. His junior track and field season was cancelled due to COVID. In wrestling, Perez qualified for state at 145 pounds. He also earned trips to state wrestling his sophomore and junior years. In football, Perez started two years. He played wide receiver, wingback, and cornerback his senior year, helping the Tigers reach the state playoffs for the first time in years. Also at school, Perez participated in FBLA, and he was involved in Tigers Committed. He has a 3.6 GPA. He plans to compete in track and field at Chadron State College. He wants to pursue a career as an athletic trainer. His parents are Marie and Fernando Perez. For being named an athlete of the month, Kadin will receive a gift card for a free drink at Scooter’s Coffee.
Q: Talk about how this year’s state track and field meet went for you.
PEREZ: “Going into day one of prelims, I felt good. I tied my fastest time in the 100 prelims, but I wasn’t sure if I made it to the finals. When I heard the announcer say that I had qualified for the finals, I was really excited. I was happy that I was going to be a medalist again. As for the 200, that’s my favorite race, so I had a lot of confidence going into that one. I PR’d in that race. The entire state meet experience was a lot of fun. It was definitely one to remember. I’m glad I was able to end my high school career like that.”
Q: How did you feel your track and field career went overall?
PEREZ: “Every time I stepped on the track, whether it was for a practice or a meet, I felt like I got better in some way. I was happy with the improvement I made throughout my four years of high school. Missing out on a whole season [junior year] was disappointing because I felt like I was getting to a point where my times were getting faster and faster. I felt like if I would have been able to compete my junior year, I would have been a really strong runner going into my senior year and maybe contend for a first or second place finish at state. I didn’t get the training I wanted because last year was cancelled, but I still thought I came back strong this year.”
Q: Out of all the sports you compete in, which one is your favorite?
PEREZ: “I get this question quite a bit. I think because I grew up around it, I really like wrestling. But I enjoy all the sports I compete in. If I could go back and compete in football, wrestling and track and field one more time in high school, I would do it in a heartbeat.”
The entire Q&A with Perez is in the July 2021 issue of Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues), you may send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Please include your name, address, phone number, and email. You may also sign up with a credit card by calling 308-220-8865 any time, any day of the week.
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week or Athletes of the Month, 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.
