October 12, 2023
THE LITTLE HAWK
THELITTLEHAWK.COM
17 SPORTS
TO WATCH Maeve Obermueller
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By Halle Larew
tarting every game her eighth grade season, Maeve Obermueller ‘27 had the highest at-bats (106) and a .245 batting average. She found her passion for softball watching her dad and brothers play baseball reaching the heights of D1 college baseball and the Major Leagues. Obermueller started playing t-ball at a young age and has now worked her way up to varsity softball. She played travel softball for a while, too, and says that it’s a competitive environment but that she had fun making so many friends along the way. Going into the 23-24 softball season, Obermueller is excited for the chance to play with all the returning players. “I always feel really good, and very comfortable, too. The others around you always help you and they all cheer you on,” she commented on City High’s varsity softball team. “Everybody wants the best for everybody.” Obermueller finds happiness in the game from having fun with teammates at tournaments and games, and overall from winning as a team. She is excited for the opportunities the upcoming season brings to meet new people and have fun. When asked about the best piece of advice she has received, Obermueller shared an impactful answer. “Trust the process and always work hard. I think effort and hard work is so important when it comes to improving,” Obermueller said. “I [practice] a lot. The time you put into it will pay off [in the end].” To prepare for games, Obermueller likes to warm up and listen to music. “I like to sit down and warm up really well. I always take the time to get into the right mindset for the game,” Obermueller said. “Music always hypes me up for games and Molly Carlson always has a really good song rotation.” Obermueller, like a lot of student-athletes, is balancing many different sports as well as school. She says the best way to stay organized is making schedules for everything in order to make it to every practice or open gym that she can. “It gets busy, but when you care enough for something you make it work,” Obermueller said. “I always want to try to get better and better every day, [and] improving is always something I strive to achieve. I want to continue to make new friendships, too.” Maeve Obermuller’s dedication allows her to set big, achievable goals for herself on the field. Watch out for number 3 on the field this softball season.
PHOTO BY AMBER SEATON
KingSton Swayzer
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By Kaitlyn Brown
ince he was young, KingSton Swayzer ‘27 has “loved the grind.” Having a dad as a coach has led to a successful career in basketball that he hopes will continue throughout high school. “I’m really looking forward to playing with the upperclassmen,” KingSton commented on the upcoming City High boys basketball season. “I’m excited to expand my competition by playing against some bigger schools in Iowa, too.” His first game was played in the Mercer Recreation League, and since then he has come a long way. With ups and downs throughout his career, KingSton has always found a way to stay motivated. His dad, Coach Swayzer, leads the varsity team, but his coaching goes beyond the bounds of practice. While KingSton’s “obvious inspirations” are the all-time legends, he reflects on how his dad has had the biggest impact. “I definitely have to say that my biggest motivation is my dad,” KingSton said. “He motivates me in his own ways, saying I suck and other things. I like proving him wrong all day.” KingSton has one goal: a full-ride to a D1 school, with the possibility of a future in the NBA. His methods of achieving this goal include practicing morning and night. “The best advice I have received is that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. It’s stuck with me my whole life. I feel like I am gifted when it comes to athletics, but if you have talent and you don’t work hard, you don’t get anything out of it.” For KingSton, the hard work begins at the start of the day. “Preparing for a game starts when you wake up, getting your mind right, doing yoga, and stretching,” shares the point guard/shooting guard originally from Decorah. “Right before the game, I turn my country music on. I love Zach Bryan.” Getting hype is the key to a good season. KingSton is looking forward to playing in front of a student section here at City High, and he also hopes that this season brings more career highlights. With a long history of playing basketball, KingSton has already achieved the goals that many basketball players share. “My biggest highlight is easily when I got my first in-game dunk. It was in 8th grade, so achieving that before high school was pretty hype.” Catch KingSton on the court this season with his fellow boy’s basketball teammates, and if you are planning to sit in the student section for these games, “get hype and be loud.”
PHOTO BY LILI MOESSNER
