Off the court, A.L. tennis player enjoys the great outdoors

By: Heidi Sampson
tribsports@albertleatribune.com

Q: What year are you in school?

A: Senior.

 

Q: What school do you attend?

A: Albert Lea High School.

 

Q: Who is your immediate family?

A: My mom and dad. I have two brothers. Taylor is a freshman this year, and Grant is a sixth-grader.

 

Q: What sports are you involved in?

A: I used to play hockey up until my sophomore year, but now I just play mostly singles in tennis.

 

Q: What is your favorite part of tennis?

A: I like that it is a team sport but it is also really individual.

 

Q: How did you get started in tennis?

A: My dad got me involved in tennis when I was around 5 years old. We were a part of the city Parks and Recreation tennis group, which is a yearly summer program offered within Albert Lea.

 

Q: What sports did your family members play?

A: My brother Taylor also plays tennis right now. He did hockey up until just this year. My little brother Grant does tennis and hockey. My Dad plays tennis with us two or three times a week when we are not in the middle of tennis season. My mom will watch us play tennis, but she also plays from time to time.

 

Q: What are your sports-related achievements? 

A: I was awarded the Most Valuable Player for the high school tennis team during my sophomore year. I also received Most Improved Player my freshman year in high school. Currently, I am the captain for our tennis team.

 

Q: What are your sports-related goals? 

A: My goals are just to keep playing. I am currently involved with the United States’ Tennis Association team. I play on their national league which starts the week after summer gets out. We have practice and matches all summer long.

 

Q: What are your college plans? 

A: My college plans are pretty much undecided at this point. I think I’m going to work and just play tennis for a year.

 

Q: Who is your favorite professional athlete? Why?

A: Novak Djokovic is my favorite. He plays singles for the professional league. I like how he plays, because he plays a lot like I do. We have the same kind of style, power and defensive hitting; I guess you would call it that.

 

Q: What is your favorite school subject? 

A: Right now, my favorite subject is economics.

 

Q: Who is your favorite teacher? 

A: My favorite teacher is Bill Webb. I like taking his wood tech classes and construction classes.

 

Q: What are your hobbies? 

A: I like hunting and fishing but mainly waterfowl hunting: so like, geese, pheasants and ducks.

 

Q: What is your dream job?

A: I would like to work for the Department of Natural Resources as a guide or in the wildlife, hunting and fishing aspect of the job.

 

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: I don’t really watch a lot of television. I’m outside most of the time when I am at home.

 

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Fresh fish is my favorite food.

 

Q: What is an interesting fact about you?

A: I like to hunt and fish so much that I will get up extra early, like between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to go hunting before school.