A Closer Look - Season 1 (Kayla Calvert)
In previous generations, children grew up playing or competing in whatever sport was in season. In today’s society, many children grow up and give up his or her passions in order to focus on a singular sport or activity.
However, that is not the case for USC Aiken freshman Kayla Calvert. The rookie from Aiken, S.C., is the first student-athlete to be on the dance team while playing a sport at USC Aiken.
“I am glad I was given the opportunity to do both,” Calvert said. “Both coaches were completely understanding because of the passion I have for both. I have always danced and played tennis and it would be weird for me to drop one all of a sudden. They allowed me to have the opportunity to be a part of both teams.”
Calvert had the passion for dance and tennis at a young age. Part of the diversity between the two could be due to her family.
“My dad is a tennis pro,” Calvert stated. “My step-dad and his mom own the Burns Dance Studio.”
From the young age of three, Calvert has been dancing and despite her father wanting her to play tennis early on, she did not take up the sport until she was eight.
Both her dad and step-father had a huge influence on Calvert. She would train with both and the two coached her throughout childhood.
Like many youth in today’s society, Calvert pursued the sport of tennis and pushed dancing to the side during middle school and the first two years of high school. Part of that could be because of the rigorous travel schedule that she held as her tennis career took off. Calvert traveled at least two tournaments a month and played in events in North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
“As a sophomore in high school, I went to the state tournament and finished in the top eight,” Calvert said. “In a state tournament, I was part of a doubles team that won a championship. I loved tennis but with all the travel, it was taking up a lot of my time.”
Despite being away from dance for years, dance was still a huge part of her life. Calvert would watch people perform at Burns Dance Studio and realized that she wanted to get back out there.
Unlike others, she could not live without her other passion. During her junior year at Aiken H.S., Calvert once again took up dance. With no conflicts and two things she was passionate about, Calvert began to excel in both. Calvert, whose favorite type of dance is jazz and hip-hop, gained her strong core from dancing. However, with all the movement in tennis, dance has helped her excel.
“When I started dancing again, it was a good thing,” Calvert said. “I was not getting burned out on tennis because I had something else going on. By dancing and playing tennis, I learned how to manage my time well. There was no procrastination because I had just a short period of time to get all my schoolwork in while trying to balance the rest of my life.”
Calvert committed to play tennis at USC Aiken, but was also allowed to try out for the dance team, which she was selected for. Although tennis is the priority in college, she does not see herself pushing dance to the side for a second time in her life.
“I hope I’m able to dance and play tennis all four years,” Calvert stated. “I’ve been able to meet a lot of interesting people on both teams. I’ve been fortunate because they are a part of my family and share in the passions that I have.”
Calvert has several goals in mind while at USC Aiken and she will have plenty of time to not only reach, but surpass them. By using her time wisely, there is no doubt Calvert will have a successful career – while dancing and on the tennis court. She will probably end up reaching her goals sooner rather than later as Calvert is not one to procrastinate.
