Meet West Burlington boys golfer Kaleb Allen, the high school athlete of the week
Kaleb Allen has been a well-rounded athlete for West Burlington High School, earning varsity letters in six different sports over the course of the last four years.
But when Allen decided to really focus his attention on golf, his path to the future became crystal clear.
Allen has made tremendous strides in the last two years on the Notre Dame-West Burlington boys golf team.
Allen finished third in the SEI Superconference Tournament a year ago, carding a 83 at the par-72 Sheaffer Memorial Golf Course in Fort Madison.
This year, Allen earned medalist honors, firing a 3-under-par 69 to win by a whopping 13 strokes.
No one has been playing better than Allen down the stretch. Not even the cold, wet, windy rainy conditions.
Allen kept his hot streak going on Wednesday, earning runner-up medalist honors by carding a 72 at Sheaffer Memorial Golf Course to earn a spot in the Class 3A district tournament Monday at Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg.
The Hawk Eye recently caught up to Allen, The Hawk Eye's High School Athlete of the Week, to find out a little bit more about him.
What is your favorite sport besides golf?
"My favorite sport besides golf is baseball. I have played it all my life. I really like playing with my brother. We have played baseball together since we we were in t-ball in Ohio."
What is it that you like about golf?
"My favorite part of the game is making birdies. You get a great feeling when you make those putts for birdie."
What is your best memory of golf?
"My best memory in golf is winning the conference tournament. I worked so hard over the winter at Ready Golf in Burlington to prepare for the tournament and it feels great to have pulled off the win."
What are three reasons you like playing in a team sport?
"Playing with friends, playing with my brother, and competing to win."
What is the best part about competing?
"Winning, the best part is winning. I've always been told you either win or you learn."
How do you and your teammates make practice fun?
"In other sports and golf we just try to make each other laugh. That's really just how we have fun."
Who is your biggest role model and why?
"My biggest role model is my dad. He has really taught me just about everything. He has helped me through the tough moments in life and congratulated me on my accomplishments. I play for him because without him I wouldn't be at the level I am today."
What is your favorite subject in school and why?
"My favorite subject/class is business class. It is the field of study that I plan to major in at college."
What is your favorite meal?
"My favorite meal is Orange Chicken."
What is your favorite TV show?
"My favorite show is Regular Show. My brothers and I watched it all the time while we were little."
What do you enjoy doing in your free time and why?
"I like playing golf in my free time. I also like playing video games with my brothers and my cousins."
What is your favorite motivational slogan or quote?
"This is something my grandpa said after my open heart surgery. 'This kid has fought too hard to be here. People are going to know that kid's name.'"
What are your future plans for college and career?
"I plan to attend DMACC for a year or two, then transfer to a four-year school. For a career I want to be in the sports marketing business. I also want to take my golf game as far as possible."
What is something about yourself that would surprise people?
"Despite having heart surgery, I have varsity lettered in six different sports."
This article originally appeared on The Hawk Eye: West Burlington senior earned conference medalist honors last week
