The Voice of the Loy Norrix Community

Knight Life

The Voice of the Loy Norrix Community

Knight Life

The Voice of the Loy Norrix Community

Knight Life

Subscribe to the Newsletter
Ace Hardware
(Photo Illustration) A student drives her car while talking to someone on the phone. This violates Kelsey’s Law which prohibits drivers from using their cell phone while driving.
Scholarship rewards $5,000 to high school students for bringing awareness to distracted teen driving
Sophia Wrzesinski and Flora HarperMarch 21, 2024

The Kelsey’s Law scholarship is open for submissions until Mar. 31. Hosted by the Michigan Auto Law, the scholarship awards a total of $5,000...

What are Your Spring Break Plans?
What are Your Spring Break Plans?
Isaac Atkinson and Stan ThomasMarch 21, 2024

Red Cross Supervisor Cindy Vandermeer prepares Teya Dawson for her blood donation. Dawson was a first-time donor.
NHS hosts a successful blood drive, saving lives in and out of the community
Isabella Figueroa, Chief Copy Editor • March 21, 2024

“My dad and my mom both needed blood products when they were still living, so it's just really important to me so that the blood stays local,”...

Norrix Senior Defeats the Competition

IMG_5420 (1)
Loy Norrix senior Nyla Baker practices Brazillian Jiu Jitizu at Snyder’s Dojo.  Jiu Jitzu is one of Baker’s favorite activities to practice. Photo Credit / Tim Baker

By Glenna Aldag

Looking into South side Dojo, a surprising sight meets the eye. A five foot nothing individual, who might seem a lot younger than she actually is, facing off against her much larger opponent. Suddenly, the smaller opponent moves. With quick efficient movements, she takes him down. A thud resounds as he hits the mat. The little warrior stands tall over her defeated foe.

This individual is Loy Norrix senior Nyla Baker. Baker has been participating in martial arts since the first grade.

“My dad got me into it because I was the smallest person in my age group,” Baker said, “He wanted me to have confidence.”

Watching Baker on the mat is a sight to behold, she utterly dominates.

“The strategy of it is sweet. It’s a chess game, it’s a mind game. It’s so strategic, it’s so much fun.” Baker continued, “I’m a competitive person, I like that challenge.”

Baker participates in karate, kobudo [chinese weapons fighting], Brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts. She is a first degree black belt in karate and kobudo, which is the highest level belt. She also has a brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, which is the second highest belt level.

“My favorite is the jiu jitsu,” said Baker, “but that’s probably just because it’s the newest, it’s like a new toy to play with.”

Baker has only recently begun to participate in tournaments for martial arts, but that doesn’t stop her from utterly crushing the competition. She has managed to place in the top five of every competition she has participated in.

In addition to participating in these martial art disciplines, Baker also teaches karate and kobudo at South side Dojo.

“For a while I was the only black belt that was there, and we had a bunch of new kids and no one to teach them,” said Baker, “so I kinda got thrown into the deep end.”

When asked what she likes most about teaching the incoming students Baker replied, “They’re funny, and when they get something and you are the one that taught them? That’s so rewarding.”
In addition to martial arts, Baker also participates in pool tournaments.

“One of my dad’s friends got him into pool, which got me into it, and I’m really competitive, so that’s why I started really doing tournaments,” said Baker.

Baker competes in pool mostly in a team with her dad, but she also competes on a junior league team and sometimes competes solo.

“I like doing it solo best,” Baker said. “I like to be in charge of myself, and I don’t have to listen to people trying to tell me the best strategy, nor am I relying on other people performing well.”

In addition, Baker also recently took up curling.

“Dude I don’t even know, one day my dad just texted me and was all like, curling? I don’t even know how he found that crowd,” said Baker.

When asked what she likes best about curling Baker replied, “It’s a new challenge, and it’s also really a lot like pool. And also, again, I just really like the competition.”

In response to what sport is her favorite Baker said, “Martial arts is for sure my favorite; I’ve been doing it since I was five. Pool is the most challenging, it’s a whole different mind game, but I find that all of the sports I play are like a chess game. You have to think four steps ahead of your opponent and that’s what really draws me to those sports.” She continued, “I have no idea why I’m so competitive. I have to be the best, and I will go through anybody to prove that.”

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All Knight Life Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Activate Search
The Voice of the Loy Norrix Community
Norrix Senior Defeats the Competition