Kaden Slater said his love for all of the sports he plays runs deep and started early. 

“I fell in love with football when I was in eighth grade and watched our high school team make it to the semifinals,” he said. “It was a great experience to see the game played with so much emotion. I fell in love with baseball during my first season playing tee-ball. It all started with me trying to get my jersey as dirty as possible. Once I got older, it became about realizing in order to be successful, you have to be more than just a good athlete.” 

That brought Slater to his final season as an Alva High School Goldbug basketball player. 

“With basketball, it started when I was playing at the Alva Rec Center as a little kid. All our same teammates have all stuck together and continued playing throughout high school. It has created a special bond between all of us.”

“The season is going good so far,” he added. “We’re 3-0 and are looking to build on our season from last year. We brought everyone back from the team last season, which really plays into our success. We all get along really well together, and we have a great team chemistry.” 

Approaching the end of his senior year, Slater said, has helped him realize he wants to leave more than just an athletic legacy at Alva. 

“I really enjoy being in a leadership role because it focuses me to be at the top of my game day in and day out,” he said. “I really try to make the younger kids feel like they’re a part of the team to help get them more involved.” 

Slater added that he thought playing multiple sports in high school was a great thing. 

“It helps my team and I both out because most of my teammates play multiple sports,” he said. “This really helps us come together and strive for our goals because we are always around to face new goals together. I believe every sport has different elements within them that help me stand out in the other sports I play.”