Your Daily Local and D9and10Sports are highlighting returning high school student-athletes this summer. The year in school listed next to the athlete’s name is the year the athlete is entering this fall. Player profiles for the week of July 31 are powered by Tionesta Builders Supply. To nominate an athlete, send us a message
Full List of 2022 Player Profiles
KENDALL YOUNG – SENIOR – ST. MARYS
Sports Played: Softball
Parents Names: Robert and Shannon Young
Siblings: Casey (15)
Social Media Handles: Instagram- kendall__young
2021-22 Highlights: Helped St. Marys to a D9 4A runner-up spot behind state champion Clearfield. Went 14-4 with a 0.88 ERA. In 119 innings pitched she struck out 226 while walking only 28 and opponents hit just .130 off her. Was named a first-team D9and10Sports.com District 9 All-District pitcher. Also, hit .460 and was chosen as the team MVP and the Northern Allegheny All-Star overall MVP while being named the Week 39 MaxPreps Athlete of the Week
College Athletics plan if applicable: I plan on planning softball in college. I have got a few offers already, but I am waiting to make a decision until I view all my possible options. I want to go to school for nursing, so making sure the college has a good nursing program is my top priority.
Q&A
Q: What was the first sport you played? Why did you play it? Did you like it?
A: The first sport I ever played was soccer when was little. I played it because it was the only sport I could play at that age, but as I began to grow up and play different sports, I found that it wasn’t the sport for me and I eventually fell in love with the sport of softball.
Q: What is the most important factor in you being successful in high school athletics?
A: The most important factor is the support system that I have. From my family to coaches and teammates, having someone believe in you and support you makes a huge difference. My family supports me in everything that I do and I know that whatever happens on the field, there is no way I could disappoint them. My coaches support me all season long and I know they believe in me to get the job done in any game we play throughout the season. Having my teammates alongside me is one of the biggest reasons for my success. I know they have my back if I start to struggle and they will be right there cheering me on. My friend Rosa DePrater, our 3rd basemen, tells me all the time, “I believe in you” and knowing she believes in me, helps me to believe in myself as well. I want to thank everyone who has supported me through the years and I wouldn’t be here today without you all.
Q: What is your favorite non-sports “go-to” activity?
A: Well, there isn’t a lot to do in the small town of St. Marys except maybe going to Walmart for fun. Haha. But, my favorite go-to activity is meeting up with my friends whether it be at someone’s house or a place in town. Soon we won’t have the ability to hang out at any given minute as we will all be going our separate ways, so I want to take advantage of the opportunity to make memories with my friends while we still have the chance.
Q: You could meet one sports figure, living or dead (1) who would it be and (2) what is the first thing you would ask them?
A: I would want to meet Jocelyn Alo and ask her how she become so successful. She is considered the best hitter of all time and I want to know what sets her apart from every other hitter. What does she do differently to make herself so good?
Q: What is your favorite sport and if you could change one thing about your favorite sport, what would it be?
A: My favorite sport is softball and one thing I would change is allowing more substitutions in high school ball. With the limited substitution, it makes it harder to get girls into games and I think having unlimited substitutions would make it easier for coaches to get girls into games and allow more playing time for everyone. My favorite games are the ones where everyone on our team got to contribute one way or another and I think changing the rule would make that easier to happen every game.
Q: If you could eat any food in the world right now, what would it be?
A: Cheese Quesadilla. My friends get mad at me when we go to Mexican restaurants and they will say “Really? Out of all these things that’s what you’re getting?”, but hey, you have to go with what you like, right?
Q: What is your ideal vacation spot?
A: My ideal vacation spot is Sandbridge, Va. I like how the beach is not very packed and is kind of private which makes it very relaxing. A few years ago we went to Sandbridge with a few girls on my softball team and it was one of the best vacations I have ever been on!
Q: Is there anything you wish we would have asked you? If so, what is the question/answer?
A: I wish you would have asked who has influenced me the most in my softball career. My answer would have been Coach Mike Beimel. He has been by my side since I first started softball and is still by my side today. He was my first ever hitting coach and I remember going to him for the first time at 6 years old and being really nervous. Those nerves soon went away as he welcomes everyone who comes to him with open arms and makes them feel like family. He pushes me to be the best version of myself not only as a softball player but as a human being. He has been the biggest role model in my life and I could never thank him enough for everything he has done for me!
