By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – An incident that occurred April 5, 2019, proved the high character of Bay Port High School’s Kyleigh Schuette.
During a softball game in Seymour, opposing player Sophie Wery hit a fifth-inning home run over the fence, but twisted her ankle rounding second after stepping in a hole and couldn’t complete her jog around the bases.
That’s when Schuette – along with teammate Maddy Ehlke – stepped in and helped carry Wery around the bases to home plate.
“It still gets brought up in conversation,” said Kyleigh, who is the daughter of Aaron and Jen Schuette. “It’s one of my most memorable moments because it was important to do the right thing.”
After the incident, Schuette, who was playing shortstop at the time, said Wery thanked her and made a joke.
Also playing volleyball, Schuette had the unique opportunity to play for three different head coaches during her four years on the varsity softball team.
She was pulled up to varsity her freshman year for the playoffs, but most recently played for Amber Francour.
“It was difficult having so many head coaches because I had three different expectations to meet and had to start over every year with a new coach and show them my skills,” said Schuette, who also played for two separate head coaches on the varsity volleyball team. “I loved playing for Amber – she was approachable, knew the game and had a relationship outside of softball with me.”
When in-school instruction was canceled, Schuette said her first thought was, “I’m not going to have a softball season.”
“It was devastating and heartbreaking,” she said. “It’s sad to think my high school softball career is over.”
Schuette said she might play intramural softball while attending Minnesota State University in Mankato, where she will study nursing and Spanish.
“In 10 years, I hope to be working in a pediatrics unit in a hospital in Minnesota,” said Schuette, who will be rooming with a friend from Bay Port at college. “I’ve got a decent background in Spanish, so maybe it will open up more job opportunities. I can hold a conversation and sometimes dream in Spanish.”
If volleyball hadn’t interfered, Schuette said she would have played tennis.
“I played in middle school and swing a racket like a bat,” she said. “I’m pretty aggressive.”
Her younger brother Zach is an incoming freshman at Bay Port, while her dad, Aaron, and mom, Jen, are from Howards Grove and Madison, respectively.
“My parents met at UW-Green Bay,” Schuette said. “Zach plays football, baseball and basketball, my dad did football and baseball and my mom played volleyball, basketball and softball.”
Schuette, who describes herself as out-going, loud and energetic, said she hopes to be remembered at Bay Port as someone who could be counted on to cheer people up.
“I’ll miss the sports and my friends and teachers when I leave,” she said.
Schuette recently received a $1,000 college scholarship from Pirate Fastpitch for her 10 years of dedicated service to the club.
“It was a big part of my life,” she said. “When others went to different teams, I stuck around.”
Her favorites include softball player Jennie Finch, macaroni and cheese, science classes and sugar gliders.
“I’m a little different that way, but sugar gliders are like flying squirrels,” Schuette said.