AYRIA KYSER – Sallisaw soccer
By Buck Ringgold
Soccer has been beneficial for Sallisaw’s Aria Kyser, and not necessarily by playing the sport.
“I have lost a lot in life, and soccer has taught me to keep going,” said Kyser, a junior right wing/striker. “Soccer has helped me grow a stronger mentality and has surrounded me with great people who have had great impacts in my life.”
She’s especially enjoying playing soccer this current season for the Lady Diamonds.
“My junior season has been great so far,” she said. “I feel like my strengths as a player is my teamwork, speed and good sportsmanship.”
Soccer has been something that has been with Kyser for years.
“I started playing soccer at a young age when I was just trying out different sports,” she said. “What I love is feeling free while I am playing.
“(I am most proud of) being there to help my team win games.”
One player who helped Kyser gain an appreciation for soccer was Christian Taylor, a former player for Sallisaw’s boys team. The two were teammates in a youth league.
“I didn’t get to play with him much, but he has left a big impression in my life,” Kyser said. “I have looked up to him since I was a little girl.
“Even after he graduated college, he would take time out of his day to help me train and get better. I learned a lot from him, not only soccer skills but life skills, too.”
There was also some valuable advice Kyser picked up when establishing herself as a soccer player.
“The best advice I have been given is, ‘Be the best you,’” she said. “Every day, I push and train to be the best me. Every practice to every game, even on days I don’t want to practice, I push myself and keep that saying in the back of my head.”
Kyser also pushes herself in the classroom, making A’s and B’s. She wants to continue competing at a high level, in her academic world along with her soccer skills.
“My personal goal is to go 100% every game, spending lots of time with my team and just having fun, making sure I don’t regret anything,” Kyser said.
