MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, FOOTBALL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Kyle Nelson

Posted

Johnston senior Kyle Nelson never took a season off this year, competing on the Panthers’ football, basketball, baseball and outdoor track teams. Because of his versatility and all-around performance, Nelson has been named the Sun Rise’s Male Athlete of the Year.

Nelson’s year started on the gridiron in the fall, where he did a bit of everything for the Panthers in Division II. He played under center as the Panthers’ quarterback for much of the season, before switching to wide receiver towards the end of the fall. He also served as one of the best punters in the state, earning Second Team All-State honors after pinning opponents deep in their own ends on numerous occasions throughout the season.

Nelson then played for the Johnston boys’ basketball team, which compiled a 10-8 record in Division II, in the winter.

He served as a solid paint presence for the Panthers, as he was fourth on the team with 5.6 points per game, totaling 101 points on 41 made field goals. Nelson also rebounded well at both ends of the floor and was a good defender against some of the best bigs in D-II.

He was undoubtedly the busiest student-athlete at Johnston High School this spring. Nelson played outfield for the baseball team in his final season at Johnston, while also shining as one of the top outdoor track and field athletes in the state.

The baseball team earned just a 2-16 record in the state’s top division, but Nelson encountered plenty of success in outdoor track. He was the only Panther to qualify for the outdoor state meet at Brown Stadium in early June, and Nelson took advantage, taking silver in the discus with a throw of 45.16 meters and eighth in the shot put with a toss of 13.43 meters. Because of the eight points that Nelson compiled, Johnston finished 18th out of 27 teams in the state.

Nelson will enroll at the Community College of Rhode Island this upcoming fall.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here