WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Aztec Ace to College Standout: Nizhoni Yellow’s Legacy Still Impacts the Tigers
By Wally D
For years, San Juan County has produced outstanding student-athletes who have gone on to find success beyond high school. In our newest “Where Are They Now?” feature, we catch up with former Aztec High School softball standout Nizhoni Yellow, who continues to make her mark at the collegiate level while representing her hometown with pride.
Yellow was much more than just a talented pitcher during her time at Aztec High School. According to former Aztec softball coach Josh French, she was one of the key figures responsible for helping rebuild and strengthen the Tigers softball program following the challenges of the COVID era.
“When I first started, we only had about 15 or 16 girls in the entire program,” French recalled. “It was an uphill climb getting the girls to believe in themselves and work hard. Nizhoni was one of the rocks of the program. She was a fantastic student-athlete.”
As Aztec’s No. 1 pitcher, Yellow quickly became one of the leaders of the team. But her impact stretched far beyond the pitching circle.
“She led by example,” French said. “She worked hard all the time. I never had to worry about her grades. She was always an A student with maybe a B here and there. She was the epitome of a student-athlete.”
Pitchers often carry unique responsibilities, balancing their duties in the circle with hitting, fielding, conditioning, and countless extra hours of practice. French says Yellow embraced those demands and set a standard for younger players to follow.
“Pitchers have to do twice the amount of work as everybody else,” French said. “It takes a special person to be a pitcher, and Nizhoni is definitely one of those people.”
That work ethic didn’t just help Aztec during her playing days—it helped shape future generations of Tigers softball players. French believes younger athletes, including recent standout pitcher Kimora Henry, benefited from watching Yellow’s dedication and commitment firsthand.
“The upperclassmen set the tone,” French said. “If you have hardworking leaders, younger players follow that example. Nizhoni worked hard on the field and in the weight room, and that carried over to the younger girls.”
Today, Yellow is continuing her softball career at Dallas Christian College while pursuing her education. Her success at the collegiate level comes as no surprise to those who watched her compete at Aztec.
During a recent interview with San Juan County Sports, Yellow spoke about balancing academics, athletics, and college life while continuing to pursue her goals both on and off the field. She credits her family, coaches, teammates, and hometown community for helping her reach this point in her journey.
For French, watching one of his former players succeed is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching.
“You like to think maybe you helped a little bit,” he said. “But the kids who go on and play in college are intrinsically driven. They’re the ones who put in the work. All I want for my players is for them to grow and become the best versions of themselves they can be. Clearly, Nizhoni has done that.”
From helping rebuild a high school program to succeeding at the collegiate level, Nizhoni Yellow continues to represent Aztec High School and San Juan County with class, determination, and excellence.
Her story serves as a reminder that success isn’t measured solely by wins and losses. It’s measured by leadership, work ethic, and the impact you leave on those around you.
And for those who watched her wear the Tiger uniform, it’s easy to see why Nizhoni Yellow remains one of the great examples of what it means to be a student-athlete.
Where Are They Now?
Former Aztec Tiger. College softball player. Leader. Role model. And a proud representative of San Juan County.
Congratulations to The Graphic Designer Where are they now Athlete, Nizhoni Yellow
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