By Derrick Smith

While kids grow up, they have different people that they look up to. Some look up to celebrities or professional athletes, while others may choose someone else in their life. Dalton Hurd says that the person he looks up to the most is one of the people he is closest to. 

“My father is probably the biggest influence on my life,” he said. “He has taught me how to be a good man, how to work hard, and how to overcome adversity. I would not be the person I am today if it was not for him.”

Dalton is a senior at Pawhuska High School. He plays slot receiver, wide receiver, and defensive back for the Huskies’ football team. This will be his eleventh season to compete in football. He is also a member of the school’s basketball and track teams. 

The success that Hurd has enjoyed over his career is due to the time that he has invested into becoming a better player and learning the game. 

“I feel like being successful in sports takes a lot,” he said. “Hard work, dedication, late nights and early mornings, along with being able to balance my academics. It’s not always easy but it is worth it.”

Throughout his time of playing sports, Dalton has made a lot of great memories with his teammates. He says that his top moment was a play he made last season.

“I think that the highlight of my career so far was the one handed catch that I made,” he said. “We were playing Hominy my junior year. It was a really unforgettable play.”

Along with playing sports, Hurd is also the senior class treasurer, a member of the student council, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Oklahoma High School Honor Society, Oklahoma Indian Honor Society, and the First Baptist Church youth group. Once he graduates, he already has an idea of what he wants to do. 

“My goal is to play football at the collegiate level,” he said. “I want to study veterinary sciences.”