Senior Kason Hull has been to the mountaintop in high school athletics being a part of the defending Class 2A-2 state champion Tushka Tigers who took the title last year and that played in the state finals the year before.
“Winning state was something I had always dreamed of and it’s a feeling you’ll never forget,” said Hull. “Once we got to our closer in the seventh inning, I had a strong feeling we would win it and when we got that last out it was just kind of blur but in a good way,” laughed Hull. Kason came to Tushka from Stuart in the fall of his freshman year and coach Landon Carper has watched him grow and develop ever since. “When he first came to us, he was a little immature like most young kids but starting last year when we won state, I could tell that he was becoming more of a leader. He talked to the younger players and helped them and would lead by example. This year he’s coming out to help us with the middle school team on his own time, so he obviously cares about more than just himself. He’s the kind of player that makes those around him better players.”
Changing schools was probably one of the biggest challenges for him athletically according to Kason. “There was a lot more and better competition going from a small school to a larger one for sure.” He credits former teammate Tagen Simon with instilling a winning attitude in him. “Tagen really taught me how to compete and win.” Hull played second base and shortstop as a freshman for the Tigers and then moved to shortstop last year in addition to pitching which he’s done more of this year. He also played basketball during his freshman and sophomore seasons. He had to sit out last year while he was rehabbing a torn hamstring injury but plans to hit the hardwood again this winter. So, once you’ve been to and won a state title, what do you do next? “This season is about trying to get back there again but also to continue improving to get some college offers to play at the next level,” said Kason.
