Carthage tennis player Kailie Layman recently spoke to Prep Sports in an interview.
PREP SPORTS: What are your personal goals for the year?
Some personal goals for the upcoming tennis season and academic year as a whole are to graduate at the top of my class as well as do well in district matches and hopefully attend state matches.
PREP SPORTS: What is your favorite athletic memory?
Although I do not have just one specific memory in mind, I do have loads of amazing memories from over the years most of those being team dinners after matches where we could all hang out together and eat junk food. One very memorable match was one where my brother brought a huge poster with a terrible picture of me which led our opponents to ask if that was me and if I knew this person. I jokingly said, “No, I’ve never seen him.” and I’m pretty sure they thought I just had a stalker.
PREP SPORTS: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
My entire team has backed me at every step of the way whether it be a win or a loss and through my journey up the ladder, they’ve been incredibly supportive and caring to the point where I’d consider them all family. My teammates, their parents, and coaches’ generosity and unfailing grace towards me have left the biggest impression on my life.
PREP SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being on this team?
Although 100-degree days and an entire team shift on the ladder wasn’t the easiest, that didn’t break our team’s spirit, we still enjoyed the tough days because we were going through it together, and we loved the good days due greatly to our entire team’s friendship. This is just some of my favorite attributes of our team and it makes me incredibly proud to be a part of something of this sort.
PREP SPORTS: Do you participate in any community service projects?
I have participated in various community services in years past but haven’t had the chance to do so recently, I’m looking forward to continuing serving soon.
PREP SPORTS: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?
I am a member of Skills USA due to my affiliations in health science, my affinity for competition, and my learning of new leadership skills. I am also a CTC Ambassador for the Health Science program at Carthage Technical Center where I get to share about all the amazingly beneficial courses as well as present more about the Medical Assisting class I am currently in and my overall love for healthcare!
PREP SPORTS: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Perseverance is the word I’ve learned the true meaning of throughout my journey through athletics in which I found my love for tennis. Tennis is both wholly individual and greatly team-driven, this has taught me perseverance whether it be in continuing my training throughout the off-season or always having sportsmanship toward my team and opponents alike. I ultimately want to be setting an example for whoever may be watching through my actions and words.
PREP SPORTS: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?
“Push yourself, because no one is going to do it for you.” This phrase is one that I’ve incorporated into my mindset toward achieving my goals especially those in tennis. It’s a continuous struggle not to procrastinate and wait for someone else to do things for me but I’m slowly learning to change that and am reaping the benefits.
PREP SPORTS: Who inspires you and why?
My amazing Mom is my inspiration for so many reasons. Her unflappable self-discipline is extremely admirable but her heart is of a quality I hope to someday achieve. She loves and supports me unabashedly all while keeping me consistent and providing insight when I need it most.
PREP SPORTS: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.
Both of my coaches have brought me so far and truly want to see each of us succeed. Coach Lingenfelter always brightens our team’s mood and has been an amazing mentor in all aspects of the sport I wouldn’t be where I am today without his help. Coach Capps-Whitley has unfailingly supported each one of us from the beginning. She has offered me friendship and encouragement when I needed it but also harsh truths and guidance. She truly is one of my favorite people and I will always remember her kindness.
