Being a senior at Boone can mean many different things. It could mean taking advanced classes, playing varsity sports, or participating in extracurricular activities.
For Ignite senior Parker Byland, being a senior means doing all three and more.
Byland has been a varsity captain for three years on Boone’s soccer team. He’s also earned many accolades, such as being the northern Kentucky coaches association Offensive Player of the Year.
“Byland is a gifted athlete and an excellent young man,” said Tony Trenkamp, the boys varsity soccer coach. “He was a natural leader on the field and the heart of our team.”
Playing soccer is nothing new to Byland, as he began playing in a kids league 13 years ago.
Since then, Byland has enjoyed spending his free time playing with the ball in his yard or his basement.
“My dad got me into it and it just stuck,” Byland said.
Soccer stuck with Byland more than other sports because he finds it easy to see his growth, which keeps him motivated.
However, Byland does much more with his time than soccer. He also has a full schedule of early college classes at the Ignite Institute in Erlanger.
On top of this, he also participates in extracurricular activities at Boone, as he is a member of the National Honor Society.
Surprisingly, Byland doesn’t find it too difficult to balance all of these academic and athletic responsibilities.
“You have fun doing it,” Byland said. “I’d rather play soccer than work a job.”
Byland also plans to continue to play soccer after high school at the highest level possible. He explained that if the opportunity arises after college, he’d like to continue playing.
Trenkamp knows Byland will be missed by his team for more than just his athletic skill once he graduates.
“Parker was always patient with younger, inexperienced players, helping them improve their soccer skills,” Trenkamp said. “He just has a way of making others around him better.”
