After 15 years of dedication to the game she once hesitated to play, Pahrump Valley High School senior Khylarann Park is ready to take her soccer talents to the next level. With her recent commitment to play for Midland University in Nebraska, Khylar is stepping into a new chapter of her life—one that blends ambition, courage, and a deep love for the sport that has shaped her since she was three years old.
For Khylar, choosing Midland University wasn’t an overnight decision. She had spent considerable time searching for the right fit—one that would support her goals both academically and athletically. The scholarship she received from Midland played a key role, but it was the warmth and honesty of the players and coaching staff that ultimately sealed the deal. “I texted one of the girls on the team because I wanted a player’s insight—coaches sometimes lie,” Khylar said candidly. “She told me the team was really good and super welcoming. She’s from California, and I was worried about the weather, but she told me it was worth it. I decided to take the big step.” Now set to compete at the NAIA level, Khylar will study sports medicine in hopes of becoming an athletic trainer, a role she feels closely connected to as a lifelong athlete.
Her decision to pursue sports medicine stems from a desire to stay close to athletics while helping others. “I want to be able to help people if they get hurt during the game—and if I get injured, to know how to help myself too,” she explained. That desire to serve her team from the sidelines as well as on the field speaks to her natural leadership and self-awareness.
The road to Midland wasn’t always a clear one. Khylar admitted that at first, she didn’t even know if she wanted to play in college. “I didn’t reach out to any schools for the longest time,” she said. “A part of me would’ve been mad if I didn’t play, but I was confused. Once I started reaching out, it was surprising to get offers. Finding a school that offered so much to me was really unexpected.” Despite the uncertainty, she ultimately trusted her instincts and followed through on her dreams.
Khylar’s journey in soccer began with a push from her grandmother and father. She remembers her earliest practice, not quite convinced she would enjoy the sport. “I didn’t think I was going to like it. I remember the first time touching the ball and thinking, ‘I’m not going to like this much.’ But they convinced me—and I’m glad they did,” she said. While her father passed away during her freshman year, her mom stepped up, continuing to support her dream every step of the way.
Among the many people who have influenced her athletic journey, Khylar points to her parents and to her longtime teammate Natalia Vallin. “Natalia’s someone I’ve grown the most with in the sport,” she said. “We’ve played together since we were little.” Another teammate, Ryleigh Denton, also played a key role in her senior year, making the season especially meaningful. “Ryleigh came back this year, and even though we lost a lot of games, getting to play with my best friend again made it a great experience overall.”
When looking back at her high school career, one moment stands out above the rest—winning the state championship during her junior year. “It was so emotional. Everyone was crazy. I don’t know how to explain it—it’s just a different feeling,” she said, her voice filled with the kind of joy that only comes from achieving something truly special.
Balancing school and athletics hasn’t always been easy for Khylar, but it has been critical in shaping her into the disciplined student-athlete she is today. “I hate school. I hate doing schoolwork and going to class,” she admitted with a laugh. “But knowing that I couldn’t play if I didn’t do it—that kept me on track. I always turned my work in, even if it was late. You can’t do that in college, though.”
Looking ahead to Midland, Khylar is excited for the challenge and change in environment. Trading the warm climate of Pahrump for Nebraska’s snowy winters doesn’t scare her—instead, it energizes her. She’s particularly eager to play on a team filled with international players, an experience she believes will help her grow both on and off the field. “There are girls from all over the world on the team. I’m excited to learn the culture and see how it all works,” she said. “The jump from high school and club to college is a big one, so I’m ready to learn.”
Khylar credits both her high school and club teams for helping her reach this point. Her club team was instrumental in encouraging players to reach out to coaches, while her high school coach, Amy Carlson, along with a parent on the team, Danny Coleman, offered guidance and support once she decided she was ready. “They told me that if I ever wanted to do it, just reach out and they’d help. And they did,” she said.
Her advice to younger athletes dreaming of college sports is both honest and encouraging: “It takes time. Everyone’s path is different. You’ve just got to do what you think is best.” As for her own personal goal going into college? “To do all my work and not fail any classes,” she said with a grin, fully aware of the academic expectations that await.
More than anything, Khylar is grateful for her mom, who has been by her side through it all. “My mom has helped me with everything. I couldn’t have done any of this without her,” she said.
As she prepares to leave Pahrump, the thing she’ll miss most is the girls she grew up playing with. “I’ll miss the team and the friendships. Some of the girls I didn’t grow up with still made this a great experience. Playing with my best friends—those are memories I’ll always carry with me.”
With grit, gratitude, and a heart full of ambition, Khylar Park is ready to make her mark in Nebraska. And no matter how far she travels, the foundation she built in Pahrump will always be a part of her game.
