State Bank Financial Senior Spotlight

Parents’ names: Josh and Deanna 

Siblings: Jonathan and Kedren

Position or events: Defensive Line, 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay, shot put and discus thrower

Career highlight: Qualifying for the Boys High School State Championship in the 200 yard freestyle relay with Kyle Berres, Henry Hilbelink and Simon Dagit and breaking the school record in that event while at the state championship during my freshman year.

At what age did you start playing your main sport? 

I started swimming when I was 10 years old.

Who introduced you to the sport? 

My mom introduced me to the sport through swimming lessons and the YMCA swim team.

Has this always been your favorite sport? 

Yes. Swimming has always been my favorite sport–even before I started doing it competitively 

How has balancing academics and athletics been different for you from your freshman year to your senior year? 

Freshman year was stressful because of the transition to high school courses, practices, and extracurriculars. While senior year has been busier, I know what to expect and how to successfully manage my schedule.

What is your favorite part about this sport? 

My favorite part is being with new swimmers and divers each year. It changes what relays and individual events we do based on who is on the team so it is cool to look back on the different events I have done throughout my high school swimming career.

What about it has caused you to stick with it for this long?

My amazing coach, Jason Karrels, has been a major part of my high school swimming career. He gives the swim and dive team six days a week from November to February every year. He has also been my math teacher during sophomore and junior year. He is a fantastic teacher and an outstanding coach that makes us better swimmers and students. Another reason I love swimming is because I begin the season with times that are not even close to personal records, but then in a few months I am several seconds faster than the year before. I also enjoy spending time bonding with the team at team dinners or on bus rides to our meets and invitationals.

What would you say is your biggest asset on the field/track? 

My strong work ethic that I learned while growing up on our family farm is one of my greatest assets along with my height and long arms for throwing/field events. 

What has been your most memorable experience in high school sports so far?  

My most memorable experience in high school sports so far was being a member of the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay teams that broke the school records last year and making it to state in the 200 yard freestyle relay both freshman and junior year.

How does it feel as a senior, to look back throughout high school and see your growth (as a person and athlete)? 

I was extremely shy freshman year, but I became much more social, made a few very close friends, and gained a lot of confidence. I also became a much better athlete through consistently attending strength and conditioning sessions all year long. 

Any memorable coaches or teammates you’d like to give a shout out to? 

I’d like to acknowledge Kyle Berres. He was the senior on our relay that made it to state freshman year and I was placed in his lane to practice with that year and he always encouraged me and motivated me to keep up and push myself. He is one of my biggest role models and I wish I would have been able to swim with him throughout all of high school.

Any hobbies outside of sports?  

I enjoy hunting whitetail deer and turkeys on our farmland.

Favorite song? 

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver.

Future plans?

Attend UW- Stevens Point to pursue a degree in conservation law enforcement and be a member of the Pointer swim team.