Athlete profile - Kelsey Newton

Kelsey was born in Colorado and then moved to an island where she competed as the first female skipper on a sailing team. She owns her own photography business and she is planning to become a teacher after college.

She also wields a mean basketball.

Kelsey’s played basketball for as long as she could remember but traces the pivotal moment back to watching college ball with her family.

“I love that basketball is so fast,” she said, adding that she enjoys the team aspect of the game and thrives the competition. “You really have to have a lot of trust and love for your team.”

INTERNAL DIALOGUE

The hardest thing about basketball for Kelsey is battling the internal dialogues and doubts that have always plagued her, but she said her confidence has grown as she’s learned to overcome them.

EVERYONE GOES THROUGH DIFFICULT MOMENTS AND IT’S HOW YOU COME OUT OF IT THAT DECIDES WHO YOU ARE AND HOW YOUR LIFE WILL END UP.

“Basketball has taught me that to get things done I have to put in the work and believe in myself,” she said.

“Everyone goes through difficult moments and it’s how you come out of it that decides who you are and how your life will end up.”

PANDEMIC

The pandemic has taken away precious moments that she could have spent being with friends, playing sports or engaging with school, but it’s also made her cherish what we often take for granted.

“If I could get even a moment of that time back, there’s so much I would do with it,” she said.

Kelsey lives her life by staying grounded in the moment. She focuses on what makes her happy and she resists letting the opinion of others dictate her life.

“Try not to live for others,” she said. “Don’t worry so much about what other people think and focus on what you enjoy.

GRATITUDE

Kelsey is grateful for her family who loves her, her friends who support her, her coaches who mentor her, and the beautiful world she’s setting out to explore.

“I hope for happiness and health-filled with lots of love and friends,” she said. “I hope for the girls to continue doing amazing things and really forming the program for years to come.”