Student-Athlete of the Week – Ava Hyatt

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Our latest student-athlete of the week is Ava Hyatt from Shadow Hills High School.

“The word 'stellar' just comes off like a sparkle on the field and off the field," Kieth Rouzan, head coach Shadow Hills Flag Football said. "When, you look at her, you get amaze.”

Hyatt is a multi-sport athlete for the Shadow Hills Knights. She plays flag football and basketball, and runs track and field. She's in-season for flag football now, but she dominates each sport she plays.

“I get like, a little flow state," Hyatt said. "When you catch the ball, you're running up the field and you're trying to dodge everybody. It's just, you get into like that mindset.”

It's clear the flow state is working, as Hyatt has nearly 3,500 receiving yards in her flag football career. She brings this strong focus with her everywhere, especially when it comes to school.

“I mean, a 4.0 grade point average," Rouzan said. "She's an athlete's athlete, multiple sports, varsity letters in everything. She don't even have no space left on her letterman's jacket.”

Hyatt is the only senior captain for the Knights flag football team. It's a sport Coach Rouzan said is well deserved through her student-athlete achievements, and because of who she is as a person. For the Knights, she is someone who has everlasting energy and positivity.

“If you're able to be around Ava for at least 30 minutes and it's not a competitive game, she will be trying to make jokes," Rouzan said. "I tell this all the time. She will definitely be missed.”

“When I was younger, I was really kind of introverted," Hyatt said. "I was shy, but I think more and more with sports and just getting to know more different people, I've just been able to talk more openly.”

Off the field, track or court Hyatt said she has two other passions that she continues to pursue, and they are film and education.

“I'm in the ED pathway. So that means I'm a student teaching this year," Hyatt said. "But, I'm probably going to major in film, because I want to be a film director and screenwriter, because I'm really passionate about that.”

She's still looking at options for colleges after graduation and deciding if she will continue her athletic career. But no matter where she goes, it's clear she's made her mark as a Shadow Hills Knight.

If you know a local senior who should be our next student-athlete of the week, please reach out to share@kesq.com to submit a nomination.

The student-athlete of the week segment airs every Tuesday throughout the schoolyear on KESQ News Channel 3.