WINFIELD, Kan. — Vivianna Solis never arrived at Southwestern College as a flag football veteran. What she brought instead was competitiveness, adaptability and a willingness to learn, qualities that have since made her one of the Moundbuilders' most impactful and dependable players. 
Now a senior, Solis has grown into a versatile force for Southwestern as the program prepares for the upcoming flag football season.
"I hadn't played flag football before coming to Southwestern," Solis said. "I wanted to try something new, and I quickly fell in love with the sport."
Inspired by years of watching football growing up, Solis took a leap into a new game and quickly found her footing. Her earliest memory came during her first on-field session with her coach, learning the fundamentals and realizing she could succeed.
That leap of faith paid off. Solis chose Southwestern knowing it was a new program and an opportunity to prove herself.
"I believed they would give me a chance to showcase my abilities," Solis said. "This program helped me grow as an athlete and as a person."
Her development has been evident since her first season, when she earned First Team All-Conference honors on both offense and defense, despite having no prior experience in the sport.
"Viv has been a fearless competitor since the day I met her," head coach Noah Harris said. "Coming into a sport she had never played and achieving First Team All-Conference on both sides of the ball during her first season tells you a lot about her wide array of skills."
Solis' impact comes from her ability to contribute wherever needed. She plays wide receiver, cornerback and quarterback, allowing her to influence the game on both sides of the ball.
"Being able to play multiple positions helps me understand the game better and support my team," Solis said.
Statistically, Solis has been one of Southwestern's most productive players. Over two seasons, she has recorded 78 receptions for 815 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also throwing three touchdown passes as a quarterback during a 2024 win over Bethel. Defensively, she has totaled 83 flag pulls, 13 interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Her most memorable performance came early in her career against St. Mary's, when she recorded multiple interceptions, including a pick-six.
"Everything just fell into place," Solis said. "It was really fun, and we got the win."
Coach Harris says her value extends beyond numbers.
"She is as tough as they come, but she's also a teammate who is very easy to get along with," Harris said. "She pushes her teammates constantly to be excellent. She has an infectious energy about her, and she's resilient, as evidenced by her overcoming multiple injuries during her time at SC. She's the type of person you want on your side."
Solis describes her style of play as competitive, adaptable and disciplined. On game days, she stays focused by listening to Latin music, including cumbias and reggaeton, a routine that helps calm her nerves and keep her loose.
Team chemistry, she said, is one of the program's strengths.
"This team is crazy, in a good way," Solis said. "We adjust, stay locked in and have fun. Everyone wants to win."
Off the field, Solis is a Health Science major with a minor in Computer Science. She enjoys working out, fishing and being outdoors, 
and admits she can "grub on anything" after a game, with pasta being a favorite.
As she enters her senior season, her goals remain simple and consistent.
"I want to get better one percent every day," Solis said. "As a team, we want to qualify for nationals."
For Solis, adversity has been part of the journey, but also a source of motivation.
"Tough days are temporary," she said. "You learn more from them than the good ones."
As the Moundbuilders prepare for the season ahead, Solis' leadership, versatility and resilience set the standard for a program still building its identity, and chasing bigger goals.
