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Albert Lea senior on tennis, swimming teams

Q: What grade are you in?
A: 12th

Q: What town do you live in, and which school do you attend?
A: Albert Lea, Albert Lea High School

Q: Who is your immediate family?
A: My parents are Emily and Kipp, and I have an older brother Merik

Q: Which sports do you play?
A: Swimming and tennis

Q: What is your favorite part of playing your sport?
A: I really enjoy the bonding my team has, especially in swimming. We all push and encourage each other, but we also have fun, make jokes and keep each other humble.

Q: What has playing that sport taught you?
A: Swimming and tennis have both taught me the meaning of mind over matter. When I am tired or frustrated or disappointed in my performance, the entire sport becomes a mental game. It’s about how far you can push your body before your mind draws a limit. In the middle of a swim race, I have to find it in myself to dig deep and push hard to get the victory I want.

Q: What’s your favorite sports memory?
A: Hands down it is eating out with my team. I’ve always said that it’s not about whether we win or lose, but where we go to eat after. The bonding that happens between a bunch of exhausted peers over burgers or chicken sandwiches is something that is hard to get anywhere else. It gives us time to learn about each other and keep the fire and fun of the team alive.

Q: How did you get started in your sport?
A: I was initially hesitant to join any sports, but my mom more or less forced my brother and I to pick something, and I’m glad she did. My brother and I joined swimming because we have always loved the water and have been through multiple swimming courses. That kickstarted my introduction to the most close knit and friendly group of guys I’ve been a part of. The way the older swimmers ran the team was inspiring, and as I have been taking on that same role in the last few years, I tried my hardest to follow in their footsteps. Tennis was a bit less climactic of a starting story. My ninth-grade science teacher was the head tennis coach at the time, and would constantly try to recruit people during class. I was in the class with a close friend of mine, and we decided we had nothing better to do and wanted an excuse to be outside, so we signed up for tennis together. We quickly became one of the better pairings on the team, as we have been close friends for so long and worked well together. We were put in as doubles partners and were able to know what each other would do without much communication. The fun I had working with him has made me favor doubles over singles, but I have played both.

Q: What sports did your family members play?
A: My brother was on the swim team with me. My dad was in football, baseball and wrestling. My mom was in volleyball and track.

Q: What are your sports-related achievements?
A: swim captain for two years, tennis captain for one year, MSHSL AAA award nominee.

Q: What are your sports-related goals?
A: My only goals have been to do better than last time and to have fun doing it. I think limiting yourself with tons of goals covers up the things you have done if all you see is what you failed to do. Besides, the whole point I joined sports was to be active and have fun, so that will always be my top priority.

Q: Who is your favorite professional athlete? Why?
A: To the surprise of many, I watch little to no professional sports, and don’t have a favorite athlete. I find it much more helpful to watch the older people on my team or on the teams we play and watch them to learn new skills. That way I get to be friends with my favorite athletes.

Q: What are your college plans? Major?
A: I will be attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities this fall going for a major in veterinary science. That is definitely open for change though, as I’ve only begun to discover the opportunities out there.

Q: What is your favorite school subject?
A: English

Q: Who is your favorite teacher?
A: Mrs. Netzer

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Biking, walking, reading, drawing, writing and watching movies or playing board games with friends and family.

Q: What is your dream job?
A: That answer changes by the year, but I’d love to be a story writer in some capacity.

Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: “The Mandalorian”

Q: What is an interesting fact about you?
A: I also play alto saxophone and cello, and have participated in all the offered groups of both band and orchestra at Albert Lea High School.