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Kheiston Tilford Central High School: Cross Country, Basketball and Track You can hear the energy and enthusiasm in Kheiston Tilford's voice as she describes her commitment to sports. "I want to be an athlete not just in one sport, but in many. Instead of just being good at one thing, I just like to do a whole lot of stuff," she says. As a freshman last year, she played volleyball and basketball and ran track. This year, the sophomore is running cross country and will continue on the basketball and track teams. She also runs with the Westside Track Club. In track last year, she tried different events, including the 300 and 100 hurdles, as well as the 4 X 800 relay and the 800. "This year is the year to get really good and focus," she says. "I want to be one of the top athletes," she says, but that's not all. "I still have other dreams. I want to be a neonatologist or anesthesiologist and a college athlete. I wouldn't mind getting a scholarship to help with college." To further her plans to enter medicine, she is in Central's nursing program, one of the school's career magnet options. In that program, she will get a head start on her medical education with training in CPR, medical terminology and first aid. By the end of her junior year, she may be eligible co-op in a local hospital. Kheiston says her mom has taught her by example that she can make things happen. "My mom is a single parent. She inspires me. She makes a way out of nowhere and she gives it her all." Dominique Betts St. Francis High School: Soccer, Basketball and Track Each of the three sports senior Dominique Betts plays offers something he enjoys. "I came to this school to play basketball, plus I like jumping, so track was a good idea," he says. He qualified for the 1A state track meet this spring in high jump with a jump of 5-8. He also competed in the region in long jump and triple jump. "Soccer is just something I've always liked doing," he says, but his favorite sports let him get his feet off the ground. "It's between track and basketball, but I think I like basketball more," Dominique says. "I just like the team experience, and I'm bonding with everybody during the season." He has interests outside of sports as well, including creative writing. "I'm a rapper so I write rap verses, poetry and whatnot." He has created a mix tape of rap tunes and given it to friends and classmates, who have given their approval. "They say I'm pretty good," he says. Dominique's career hopes are tied more to his art than his sport. He is considering Columbia College in Chicago or a local school—maybe Bellarmine University. "I want to pursue my music while at the same time go to an art college and pursue my artistic skills and put those to use," he says. For now he's enjoying his senior year, his sports and his fourth year at St. Francis. "I love my school, that's about it." Hannah Fife Fern Creek: Field Hockey, Basketball and Softball "Softball is a given," says Hannah Fife. After all, she started playing when she was three. Even though this shortstop is only a sophomore, she's already played three years for the Tiger softball team. After school season, she provides her talent to the Louisville Mash AAU team. In the winter season, basketball keeps her teamwork skills in shape. This fall, she's busy with field hockey. It's a new sport for her—she started playing the game just last year. "For field hockey, I get conditioning for the other two sports," Hannah says. "Softball is my favorite, I would say, because I'm better at it," she says. "I like everything about it." Hannah has her days running like clockwork. "Right after school we usually have practice. Right after that, I do my homework. I take all advanced classes, so I get most of my work done in class." Her mom, Shelley, is the wheels behind her schedule. "She drives back and forth to practice and tournaments," Hannah says. "She's really there for me, supporting me." Hannah doesn't miss having an off season. "All my best friends play with me so I'm not giving up anything socially," she says. "In my free time I would go out and play ball if I could. We have that one week off in the summer—I'm miserable that whole week." Hannah draws inspiration from her teammates. "I feel like I have to exert myself as much as possible for my teammates. They keep me up." Hannah's dad, Brian, introduced her to sports at an early age and coached her in softball and basketball until she started playing at the high school level in seventh grade. "He's the one who started me out on it." Any chance she'll change her sporting ways? "I like being busy, so it's pretty good for me."