PREP SPORTS: What are your personal goals for the year?

My personal goals for this upcoming season were to be first-team all-conference and first-team all-district, and most importantly being the best leader I can be for the team. Those have changed since I broke my ankle in the first quarter of our Week 1 game against Hogan Prep. Now, I’m looking to recover and get ready for a good season next year.

PREP SPORTS: What is the most fun you have had in the last year?

The most fun I’ve had this year would probably be the Cuba game in Week 3, the trip up there was long but worth it. Playing a Class 3 school as a Class 1 school can give you the nervous kind of excitement and they were locked in from the start. They played some really good ball that game and showed the potential we have. The fun really came around when my friend, Jack Shearer, had two interceptions late in the game. It was his first varsity start, and he gave up the game’s only touchdown but made up for it in the end.

PREP SPORTS: Who is your favorite teacher from any grade, and why?

My favorite teacher is my 7th-9th grade math teacher and high school basketball/football coach, Coach White. His class was really easy and we got to mess around occasionally which made it really fun. His coaching on the other hand is pretty intense compared to his teaching.  He wants you to succeed so he will really push you until you do succeed. He’s helped me a lot with my football and basketball knowledge as a player and I couldn’t thank him enough. Ever since I got to the Junior High/High School building, he has been the person I go to for anything I need, whether that be about math, football, basketball, or if I just need to get out of class for a little bit.

PREP SPORTS: What is your favorite athletic memory?

There are a lot of athletic memories that I could talk about, but the one that always comes to my head is freshman year football. Joey Strait, John Snider, and I would mess around with the opposing team’s chains crew because we weren’t good enough to play and who doesn’t want to have some fun every now and then? It started with Joey Strait, a senior who probably wasn’t the best influence on us underclassmen but memories are memories, coming up with this great idea against Sarcoxie. The goal was to go behind the chains crew and either say something (usually like a conversation starter) really out of pocket or stupid. Then you would have to improv for the rest of the conversation in hopes they would look back in concern or say something. It was really stupid but it was good entertainment for a freshman and sophomore.

PREP SPORTS: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?

The teammate that leaves the biggest impression on me would be Junior, Jarod Lung, he is kind of everything you want as a teammate in any sport. His nickname is “Baby Fundamental,” because he is the most fundamentally sound athlete in every sport he tries and is always good at everything he does. He cares a lot about every sport he plays, even if he doesn’t like it, which is really what we need in every sport. He’s a quiet leader that will speak up when he needs to and everyone listens to him when he starts talking. We’ve always been able to push each other as players in every sport except baseball, he’s 10x the player I am and I just can’t compete with him. I know I can rely on him to catch the ball when I throw it to him, even if he’s taking a shot to the head that would lead to a concussion, or if I need him to knock down a corner three in basketball.

PREP SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being on this team?

My favorite part about being on this team is that we have a lot of potential to be a good team we just haven’t figured that out entirely and put everything together yet. 

PREP SPORTS: You can pick any place for a summer vacation. Where do you go, and who do you take with you?

Would a trip to New Orleans in late August to watch a Saints game count as summer vacation? If so, that’s what I’m choosing because the Saints are my favorite NFL team, and being in the Mercedes Benz (Caesars) Superdome is something I want to relive. My mom and I went to a Bears vs Saints game in 2017, and I remember that day like it was yesterday. Getting to see my favorite player of all time, Drew Brees, and all of the players I’ve grown to love was an experience I would do again anytime with my mom.

PREP SPORTS: If we gave you $500 and you had to spend it in the next 24 hours, what would you spend it on?

If I was given $500 and had to spend it in 24 hours I think I would have to spend it on Christmas presents since it’s about to be that time again.

PREP SPORTS: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?

I am in FFA, Military Honor Committee, Yearbook, Student Council, and A+ Program.