Volleyball, Basketball and Softball were the sports of choice for Ashby senior Kalista Aamot, who said her top sports memory was, “every set, every possession, every inning, every game, every bus ride, every practice. Whether it was good or bad, I enjoyed every second of what it had to offer.”
Aamot is going to continue to play basketball has she has committed to M State in Fergus Falls to finish up her generals before transferring to complete her studies to become a Registered Dietitian. Her favorite school subjects are English, Psychology and Nutrition.
“Being in sports has positively impacted almost, if not every, aspect of my life,” said Aamot. “From my social connections to who I am as a person, my involvement in sports has taught me a little bit about everything.”
Her basketball coach Alan Niemann described Kalista as, “a true ‘gamer’! At just 5’6” she tied for second in the Little Eight Conference for total rebounds, just four short of the conference leader. She is not afraid to go up against much taller opponents using her craftiness to shake and bake her way to the rim for both rebounds and scoring.”
“I have had the privilege to coach Kalista for the past few years and every year I see her grow not only in her abilities, but in her leadership,” said Head Softball Coach Autumn Flickinger. “Kalista has a great work ethic and drive that will get her very far in life. She always wants to be doing her best, even when she doesn’t think other are watching and is willing to help her younger players as well.”In response to our question as to how she is dealing with no school or spring sports, Aamot replied, “In the beginning, I struggled with the fact that I would be spending the end of my high school career confined at home. The experience of not being able to see my best friends every day for only a few more months and playing one more season of softball with my team was abruptly taken out of my hands.
Although we seniors have been dealt a bad hand, there are many positives that we can focus on. We can embrace that extra time with our families, sit outside and work when it’s nice out, and approach this as a learning experience to get us ready for the independence that comes with college and the work force.”
"Kalista was continually learning," stated Head Volleyball Coach Hayley Stevens. "With an injury that held her back during part of her senior season she continued to work hard at what she could which I believed showed her younger teammates that you don't allow opposition to hold you back."
Her advice to underclassmen: “Enjoy every busy day, because before you know it, it’s your turn to graduate.”
