Throughout an athlete’s career, they can have a number of moments that are ingrained in their memory. Whether it was reaching a milestone, winning a big game, or something else, when they think of these, it always brings a smile to their face. 

Jace Thompson is a senior at Newkirk High School and he’s had a couple of important moments. 

“One of my highlight moments is when I had either eleven or twelve strikeouts in the baseball conference championship game against Pawnee,” he recalled. “The other was when our football team made the playoffs this past football season.” 

As a two-sport athlete, Thompson has put in a lot of hard work and time in order to become the athlete that he is today. Along with the work, he says that there is something else that is important. 

“Competitiveness is a key to being a successful athlete,” he said. “It keeps you working hard to get better so that you can be your best.” 

Thompson has had some people that have been a part of his life that he has looked up to as role models. But out of all of them, there is one that is the biggest. 

“My dad is the biggest role model in my life,” he said. “He has the best work ethic out of anyone that I know and I hope to be just like that.” 

Blake Dunlap is the head baseball coach at Newkirk. He says that Thompson is an outstanding athlete and he is a great kid. 

“This kid is a great athlete that has not played baseball in a few years because the program has been downhill,” Dunlpa said. “I coached him in football as the District Linebacker of the Year and we created a great relationship, so therefore, he is coming out for baseball this year. This kid will be a district starter on the mound and our starting catcher and third baseman.” 

Wearing the Newkirk jersey is something that Thompson is proud to do. 

“It means a lot to represent Newkirk,” he said. “It’s a great small town that supports all their sports so it’s very fun playing for them.”