Devina Lytle spent the weekend competing on one of the biggest stages in flag football.

The Southwestern College flag football player participated in the Worlds in Flag tournament in Florida, one of the largest flag football events in the sport. The tournament featured approximately 1,400 teams from across the country, bringing together elite athletes from the collegiate, professional and national levels.

Lytle competed with Optimum Nutrition, a team sponsored by the company, which also sponsored a significant portion of the tournament. She played in two divisions: non-contact 5-on-5 professional and contact 5-on-5 professional.

In the non-contact division, Lytle played center as her team competed in three games. The competition included several collegiate athletes and a member of the USA Flag National Team. While the results did not go as planned, the experience provided valuable exposure to top-level play.

The contact division offered a deeper run. Playing wide receiver, Lytle helped her team advance to the semifinals after four games before being eliminated. Statistics were not recorded for either division, but the tournament served as an important opportunity for development and evaluation.

Overall, the experience left a lasting impression on Lytle.

"It was a great opportunity to network and compete against extremely high-level athletes," Lytle said. "Being able to play against that level of competition really pushes you."

Lytle's journey in flag football began during her freshman year of high school in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the sport is sanctioned. She attended tryouts with limited expectations, but the game immediately clicked. Much of her early interest was inspired by her father, a dedicated football fan.

Sundays were spent watching football together from morning until night, turning into a bonding experience that also helped Lytle develop a deeper understanding of the game.

Her earliest memory on the field reflects her excitement. In her first high school game, Lytle accidentally tackled an opposing player while attempting to pull a flag, a moment that captured her intensity and enthusiasm for the sport.

Lytle chose Southwestern College largely because of head coach Harris and the program's philosophy. During the recruiting process, she focused on the mental approach and team culture. The opportunity to help build a first-year program also played a key role in her decision.

"I wanted to be a pioneer and help grow the program," Lytle said.

Beyond college play, Lytle credits her club team at home as the biggest influence in her development. Competing alongside elite athletes helped her improve her skills, expand her network and build confidence in her ability to perform at a high level. 

At Southwestern, Lytle plays center, a position she considers underrated. The role allows her to initiate each play while remaining an eligible receiver. She describes her style of play as confident, knowledgeable and possession-focused.

One of her most memorable collegiate moments came during her freshman season, when she scored the longest touchdown of her career against the University of Saint Mary.

Lytle believes her football knowledge and leadership are her strongest contributions to the team. She describes the Moundbuilders as energetic, noting that the team balances having fun with staying locked in during competition. Leadership, she said, is shared among players in different ways, creating a strong team connection. 

Coach Harris had this to say about Lytle and the type of player as well as person; 

"Devina is very passionate about flag football and she is very coachable. These qualities are a big part of the reason that she is a leader on the team. Devina benefits from her willingness to put in extra time. She is a true student of the game who keeps improving each day. Her cerebral nature as it pertains to learning nuances associated with flag football are a testament to how much she has grown in the program. This is not limited to flag either as she is one of the top student athletes' GPA wise on the team."

Off the field, Lytle is majoring in physical performance and sports studies with a minor in business. She hopes to pursue a career as an athletic trainer or coach while remaining involved in the rapidly growing flag football industry. Outside of athletics, she enjoys cosmetology and fashion. A lesser-known fact about Lytle is her Argentine heritage.

Looking ahead, Lytle's goals include earning KCAC all-conference recognition and continuing to improve from last season. On challenging days, her motivation comes from family and the desire to make them proud.

Her advice to younger players reflects the direction of the sport.

"Have confidence in yourself and market yourself," Lytle said. "Flag football is growing fast, and there are so many opportunities if you take advantage of them."