Catching up with 1997 Unioto graduate, former three-sport athlete Nikki Cutright
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Throughout the history of the Scioto Valley Conference and Ross County, few athletes have shown the versatility and overall impact on winning as 1997 Unioto graduate Nikki Steinbrook. Nikki participated in volleyball, basketball, and track, and in all three sports, she was a huge part of huge success.
In volleyball, she was a four-year letter winner. She was an All-League and All-District athlete while helping her team to a District championship. In basketball, she was a member of the 1995 final four team. In the spring, she was a member of a Regional championship team in track. Individually, she qualified for the state in the 100 and 200, and on two other occasions made the state as a member of a relay team. In 1995, she finished second place in the state in the 200. As for the SVC, Nikki and her three relay teammates (Julie Wilkins, Mary Beth Harp, and Regina Thomas) still hold the league record for both the 800 Meter Relay and the 400 Meter Relay.
鈥淎ll the spaghetti dinners with my basketball team,鈥� said Nikki when asked about what she remembers most about her playing days. 鈥淚 remember Coach Jerry and Cyndy Driggs鈥� special faith-filled 海角社区 before every game.鈥�
As Nikki continued to remember things about her playing days, most of the memories involved time shared with teammates. These memories included kicking around the hacky sack before games during their tournament run. She also mentioned multiple memories of warm up routines, prayers, and breaking the huddle with the word 鈥淭ogether鈥� before taking the floor.
After high school, Nikki went to school at Ohio State College of Barber Styling and continued her education at Daymar College. She currently works at Mack鈥檚 Mustache in Chillicothe, a job she has had for 22 years. Nikki and her husband, Keith, live in Chillicothe, have two sons (Casen 11 and Cameron 9), and a dog named Bella.
鈥淪ports help develop kids in so many ways,鈥� Nikki said when asked about the importance of young people being involved in sports. 鈥淚 think the most important way is in building self-confidence. When the people surrounding a young athlete are showing them support and affirming their own confidence in that athlete, that is when the athlete鈥檚 self-confidence will grow.鈥�
In talking with Nikki further about sports, she mentioned so many levels of support including the support of a coach, the support of a teammate, the support of family, and the support of the community. She mentioned how now as an adult she realizes the importance of these things and the importance of being grateful for it.
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