FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Skyler Byrd, Greencastle

Skyler is a graduate of Greencastle and participates in one sports, track.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Skyler Byrd: “Sports often tell you who can do more than others. Sometimes you also find out who gets opportunity. Some seniors got more opportunities than the underclassmen even though we have some very talented underclassmen who work very hard.”

BG: Talk about your sports.

SB: “I tried cheerleading but it wasn’t my thing. I stuck with track as it is a team sport but I like to do individual events. If I’m going to win, it’s because I put in the work. I don’t want to rely on anyone else. I haven’t done anything regularly beyond pole vault, though I have been an alternate in a few things.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

SB: “Sophomore year at Mooresville, my pole came out of my hands. I fell and the pole wiggled around before smacking me in the back.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

SB: “I go to school; I would skip my seventh-hour class, go home, eat a ham sandwich, get ready and come to the meet.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?

SB: “Katie Moon is an Olympic pole vaulter I watch. That’s about it.”

BG: You were a regional qualifier as a junior. How did that experience help shape your approach to regional this year?

SB: “Last year, I went to regional as a callback. It was more about going there, having fun and enjoying the experience. I didn’t take things as seriously last year and have taken it seriously this year. I only cleared 8’6” last year and have cleared 10’ this year. I’ve taken a lot away from the last few years and have focused more this year.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

SB: “Not really.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

SB: “I race four-wheelers, go hunting and hang out with my family.”

BG: What are your favorites in reading, movies, TV and music?

SB: “I enjoy listening to true crime podcasts or ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ on TV. I don’t watch a lot of TV. I usually am outside doing things.”

BG: Are you a person who wants to watch TV shows and movies or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc. or do something else with your free time?

SB: “I would go back home and do schoolwork. I was in medical assisting at Area 30, so I studied a lot for that with my free time.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

SB: “I really want to go wild hog hunting in Florida.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

SB: “Spiders. And drowning.”

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

SB: “Tacos, because they don’t take long.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

SB: “I’ve got an American Bulldog, our oldest dog named Maxis, a dog our neighbor dropped off named Ollie, a Golden Doodle named Melon, our youngest dog, and two cats, Ralph and Ellie.”

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

SB: “I would get the lock box from under my bed. I have a lot of keepsake times like pictures, letters and other things. Maybe a couple of outfits if they’re not burned.”

BG: A family member has hit the lottery. After everything is paid off and money is set away for the future, you’ve been asked to buy something you have always wanted to get. What are you asking for?

SB: “I’d probably buy a boat or my own house.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

SB: “Reserved. I tend to keep to myself but if I do have something I need to say, I’m going to say it.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

SB: “Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

SB: “In Area 30 this year, we went to ISU and got to see a cadaver lab.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

SB: “I don’t have a lot of friends in school but my family is the closest group of people to me, so their support means a lot. Seeing them be there for the things I care about and being supportive are important.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.

SB: “I did online schooling my freshman year, so I can’t say much about that year other than to not let your children do online school. It was good after that. There were a lot of nice teachers in school. The one thing I’ll say about school is that it is not that hard if you pay attention and do the work when it is given to you. Sport-wise, it isn’t always about winning. You need to enjoy what you’re doing and don’t make it work. It’s supposed to be fun. I understand people want to do well but sometimes, you have to step back. If you’re having fun, you’re more likely to succeed that if you’re miserable trying to be the best you can be.”

BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

SB: “We have finance classes. We had a very good finance teacher in Mrs. Labhart and she did an excellent job before she left, but we need more classes that teach about what’s going on outside a school building, not inside it. More real-life lessons, like how to manage money. Things are expensive these days.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

SB: “I start at Ivy Tech on Monday, getting my prerequisites done before going into the nursing program to become a nurse. I hope to work at Methodist or Eskenazi one day.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

SB: “No. Like I said, you get the work in class. Put the phone down and get it done, then you don’t have to do it later. It’s done before you leave school.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

SB: “Mrs. Labhart as well as Mrs. Frank, the art teacher. I can’t say art helps you in the real world but she had wise words and even if I wanted to go in her classroom and talk about home or something that didn’t have anything to do with school, she would listen. Mr. Meyer, who I had for English, did a lot and was a good man. He taught me if you really want something you have to try. If you can’t wake up to get to school on time, you can’t do much.”

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?

SB: “I would rather live in the middle of nowhere on a farm with land. I don’t care if it’s a nice house, as long as I have a roof over my head and am making money, it’s all good.”

BG: Do you think high school went fast, and are you going to miss it?

SB: “I will not miss it one bit. This year went by fast. When you’re going through school, it’s the slowest thing ever, but even a month before school was out, I remember my whole schedule from middle school. It does go fast, faster than you realize.”