By Hayden Swope

Trayton Kinderknecht, a soccer athlete at Salina South High School, has been hoping to have another standout year on the field, just like he did his sophomore year. Kinderknecht ended the 2022 season as a second team all-league selection for the Cougars. 

Kinderknecht and the Cougars had a rough go-about last season winning only eight games, but this season Salina South is looking to make a change. Only graduating four seniors from last year’s team and having a larger roster number this season, the Cougars are 3-0 to start the season, and hope to hold onto that winning streak. 

Salina South’s head boys soccer coach, Trey Crow, knows that as one of the leaders of this year’s team, Kinderknecht still has a lot to prove. 

“He made all-league last year, and we are hoping he continues to build on his work so far,” Crow said.

Kinderknecht spent the preseason practicing and drilling game plans with his teammates and coaches, continuing to improve and strengthen his skills. Coach Crow knows that Kinderknecht has big things ahead of him for his final two years at South.

“Trayton is a hard working kid that really stepped up last year out of nowhere to earn our starting center back role,” Crow said. “He puts in the time in the offseason to improve and works everyday to get better.