By Derrick Smith

Whether an athlete is competing in a team or individual sport, there are always goals that are set out at the beginning of the season. Robert Kalsu says that while he has enjoyed a lot of great moments during his career, his favorite would be when his team reached their goal.

“The highlight moment of my time playing sports was when our basketball team reached the goal we set for ourselves at the beginning of the season,” he said. “My junior year we reached the state basketball tournament. It was a great feeling to reach the tournament and know that we had reached the bar we set.”

Robert is a senior at Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School. He plays guard on the hardwood and on the baseball diamond he plays center field. He is also a member of the student council, the National Honor Society, and the Blue Crew.

Brandon Jackson, the head boys’ basketball coach at Mount Saint Mary, says that while Robert may not light up the gym, he is always working hard.

“Sometimes you may not see it in the stats, but he is the glue guy for our team,” the coach said. “He was MVP in the Noble tournament last year, scoring 22 points in the championship game.”

There have been people that have been a part of Robert’s life and helped shape him into the person and the athlete that he is today. He says that there is one person that had the biggest impact on him. 

“My role model is my grandpa, Bob Kalsu Sr.,” he said. “My grandpa was a professional athlete but more importantly, he was a man of good character.  He is someone I look up to and try to model my life after.”

Success is something that every person works hard to achieve, and Robert is no different.

“To be successful in the two sports I play, you have to love the game and enjoy the process,” he said. “In order to find success, you have to be willing to work hard, give it your all, and grow from your mistakes.”