by By Dan Ninham, contributing writer
Connor Kuykendall, 18, is a senior at Dale High School in OK. He is on the Dale Student Council, FCA, and National Honor Society.
“I’m proud to be Chickasaw,” said Connor. “They have supported me through my baseball career.”
Connor’s main accomplishments are throwing two no hitters and a one hitter. He was selected Athlete of the Week in the Shawnee News Star.
“Aside from God, family is the second most important thing in my life,” said Connor. “Without those two very important things I wouldn’t be the person today.”
“The summer going into my sophomore year I was playing well,” said Connor. “I felt great and was at the top of my game. During the middle of a game, I stole second. I tried getting up after sliding into second base and my shoulder felt uncomfortable. I looked down and my shoulder had popped out of the socket.”
“After an emergency room trip, I got my shoulder popped back in place. They said I would probably be out for 4-6 weeks. However, I needed to follow up with an orthopedic specialist,” added Connor.
“I got an MRI, and found out I had a torn labrum,” said Connor. “I was devastated. I just remembered the doctor saying no baseball for a while. Luckily it was my non-dominant arm and I was out for five months.”
“During rehab, my faith weakened. I was second guessing my faith because I didn’t understand why. I had put countless hours of dedication into baseball. Why would this happen to me? I did not understand so I lost faith. Going to church and talking to my family let me believe that yes baseball was my life. But at the end of the day I rather have faith with God and my family,” added Connor.
“After all of that, I built the strongest relationship with God I could,” said Connor. “With many prayers and wise sayings from our pastor on Sundays made my accident just an accident, nothing personal toward me. It definitely was a lesson to be learned and also experience for what is bigger than life.”
“I know I will always remember the feeling at that moment when the doctor said no baseball. I realize now how something you love can be at a pause and you might think it can slip away just a blink of an eye. Every time I’m on the baseball field playing I cherish every moment. I’m so blessed to be where I am with so many people who have helped me through my scariest moment. I also thank God for never giving up on me even on the path he led me to. Which makes me a better person and player today,” added Connor.
“My family is very involved with everything I do,” said Connor. “My mom, Carrie Kuykendall, and my dad, Joe Kuykendall, are the best parents and role models anyone could ever have. Whenever I play baseball they are always my number 1 fans. I am so blessed to have parents like them.”
“Connor is our middle son of three boys,” said mom Carrie. “He has always had a ball in his hands before he could crawl. He started playing with YMCA when he was four years old. Never forget how competitive he was at a young age.”
“Our oldest played sports so we were always were at a ballfield. He always found some kid to play catch with him. The older he got we saw he had something special. So we started to play travel ball. Which consumed a lot of our time and vacation but we all enjoyed it,” added Carrie.
“He has worked so hard to be where he is at this level,” said Carrie. “Many summers and early mornings he was playing baseball.”
“My grandpa Jerry Kuykendall has been someone I have looked up to since I was little,” said Connor. “He’s taught me so many things from tying my shoes to life lessons. He’s at every game he can make it too. Even drives me out of state for baseball tournaments when my parents are working.”
“I haven’t decided where I’m going to play college baseball yet but the best is yet to come,” said Connor.
Photo Credit: Rick Hester
I’m so proud of Connor! Have had the privilege of watching him grow into an incredible young man. Congratulations, Connor! —Joy F