Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight: Toby Kunkel

Confirm name, school, sport(s): Toby Kunkel, Kewaunee High School, Football and Baseball

Parents’ names: Mark and Stacy Kunkel

Siblings: Maya Kunkel

Position or events: Wide receiver, Defensive Back and Middle Infielder

Career Highlight: Winning the conference championship for baseball this year

At what age did you start playing your main sport?

I started playing baseball when I was 5 years old playing tee-ball

Who introduced you to the sport?

My mom

Has this always been your favorite sport?

Yes, for the most part it’s always been the sport I enjoy playing the most.

How has balancing academics and athletics been different for you from your freshman year to your senior year?

It has changed drastically from my freshman to Senior year. I went from doing all the basic classes as a freshman and playing mostly JV sports along with it, whereas now I have to balance much harder classes along with now playing on the Varsity teams.

What is your favorite part about this sport?  

The excitement of being in the field and knowing that every pitch could possibly be a play you have to make as where in baseball one mistake can make or break the game.

 What about it has caused you to stick with it for this long?

The thrill of winning and being able to have such a close team from tee-ball to summer ball and then to high school.

Is there a professional athlete you look up to? If so, why?

Dustin Pedroia because he was always the guy at second base and was always there to make the shortstop look good and was always pretty humble with such a long and successful career.

What would you say is your biggest asset on the field/track?

My ability to move to the ball and range I have to make a play.

What has been your most memorable experience in high school sports so far?

Making a diving play running backwards to save a no-hitter for our pitcher.

How does it feel as a senior, to look back throughout high school and see your growth (as a person and athlete)?

It is pretty cool to see how I played and carried myself as a freshman to now as a senior being more of a leader role and helping the freshman as I once was.

Do you have any pre-match rituals/routines/superstitions?

My one superstition/routine is when we run out for infield/outfield that I will write my initials in the dirt behind my position. Not really sure whyIi do this, but I did it once and did very well that game and have stuck with it ever since.

Do you take any extra steps to prepare for a big match/game/meet, outside of regular practices? 

The biggest thing for me is before games to get extra swings in the night before the game.

Any memorable coaches or teammates you’d like to give a shout out to?

I would say Coach Spranger because I’ve had him as a baseball coach since I was playing summer play and Babe RuthT the other coach would be Coach Mumper, because anytime I would be having a rough game or made a bad play he would always be there to help with what went wrong and would always have some weird joke to make you laugh.

Any hobbies outside of sports?

Hunting, Fishing and Golf

Favorite song? 

$2 Dollar Hotdog $1 Dollar Water

Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade or water?

Water during the game, but Gatorade after the game.

Future Plans? (college, major, career, etc.)

I want to attend college for health sciences and then medical school after to eventually do something in sports medicine.