​Porterville High School freshman Kamber Hobson is carrying on a family racing tradition while competing in two sports and honoring her late uncle’s memory.Hobson began racing five years ago, continuing a family connection to the sport that stretches across generations. Her grandparents, uncles and parents have all been involved in racing.For Hobson, getting behind the wheel brings a mix of emotions.”It’s a lot of different feelings but it’s fun,” she said.Her mother, Amanda Hobson, said watching her daughter continue the family tradition has been meaningful.”It’s really a privilege that she gets to continue on the family legacy,” Amanda said.Kamber has also taken that competitive drive to the volleyball court during her first season with Porterville. She said racing and volleyball share an important similarity.”There are a couple of similarities, but I think the most outstanding one is the mental aspect of it,” Kamber said.On the court, Kamber is learning to trust her teammates like family. At the track, her teammates are family.Her success in both sports has helped put her in the top five of the Youth Athlete of the Year competition.”She doesn’t like the accolades, though, so she’s really humble. So this competition has kind of been eye-opening that she can take the attention and that she’s worthy of it,” Amanda said.But Kamber and her family faced an unexpected loss last month.”It was completely unexpected… it shocked all of us. It really rocked our world,” Amanda said.In early August, Kamber’s uncle, Miles Elliott, died in a helicopter crash while assisting firefighters at the Widemouth fire in Utah.As the family coped with Elliott’s death, the Porterville community became a source of support. Kamber has continued competing, using sports to honor her uncle.With No. 13 on her back and her uncle in her heart, Kamber said racing has also provided an escape as her family navigates the loss.”When I’m out on the track… I get like a breath of fresh air… I can’t even describe how much my family’s appreciated everyone supporting not just me but them through all of it,” Kamber said.For sports updates, follow Parker Rehm on Facebook, X and Instagram.