Born™ Fact
Born Athletic's Paul Whittaker has a personal best 6' 10 1/4" high jump in competition.
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Born™ Athletes
View our latest “Born™ Athletes”. If you're an athlete, nominate your coach for “Born™ Coach Of The Year”!
Name:
Alex Owens
Hometown:
Scheller, IL
School:
Waltonville Community HS for school studies and Basketball and Track Sesser Valier for football
Class of:
2007
GPA:
3.58 on a 4.0
Athletic experience:
Baseball (1 yr); Football (4 yr); Track (4 yr); Basketball (4 yr)
Coaches:
Mike Denault for basketball and John Shadowens for football
Extra-curricular activities:
Beta club; Future Business Leaders of America; Student Council
Hobbies:
Golf; my friends; all sports
Future goals:
I will be attending the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in the fall of 2007. I plan on graduating in 6 years and then I would like to work for one of the major hospitals in St. Louis, preferably Children's.
Best game:
The Varsity football game against Johnston City. I had 9 receptions for 178 yards and I scored 2 td's.
Accomplishments:
Senior year: 1st Team All Conference, Honorable Mention All State, All South Team, a total of 42 catches for 557 yards with 4 touchdowns, and I even threw one pass for a completion and a touchdown.
Junior Year: Honorable Mention All Conference with 32 catches
Most memorable game:
The before mentioned Johnston City game. The reason it was so special is because it was my last football game and we were up at half time against the conference champs. We were playing with only three seniors and we all had two touch downs each.
Coolest thing a coach ever said or did to motivate me:
It was my sophomore year and we were watching a tape of a varsity game. The wide receiver from Sesser made a nice catch and Coach Gibby said he was an All Stater and that that could be me someday. It made me believe in myself just knowing that he believed in me.
The one aspect of my game I would like to improve:
Since basketball is over I would have to say I could definitely improve my in ability to shoot the basketball. I really need help with my free throws.
The best thing about being an athlete:
It helps me deal with the pressures of school. I can go out on the field or court and represent my school , be with my friends, and blow off some steam in a constructive way.
Name:
Tara Ryterski
Hometown:
Nashville, IL
School:
Nashville High School
Class of:
2007
GPA:
4.0 on a 4.0
Athletic experience:
Varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball
Coaches:
Wayne Harre, Josh Konkel, and Charlie Heck
Extra-curricular activities:
FCA Huddle Leader, National Honor Society President, Student Council, Senior Class Treasurer, Lifesavors
Hobbies:
Shopping, bowling, watching t.v. and hanging out with friends
Future goals:
I will be attending John A. Logan College on a volleyball scholarship in the fall. I am undecided on what I will study but it will include mathematics and engineering.
Best/most memorable game:
The basketball Sectional Championship my senior year would be my most memorable. Our team came into that game and the whole season as the underdogs but pulled together, especially in this game, to scratch out an awesome victory.
Three words I'd describe myself as...
Determined. Hard-working. Intelligent.
Coolest thing a coach ever said or did to motivate me:
One of my coaches told me that if I do the little things right, the big things will take care of themselves.
The one aspect of my game I would like to improve:
I would like to improve my focus. I need to think a play ahead every second of the game.
The best thing about being an athlete:
The publicity and pressure created by the public. It seems someone is always keeping an eye on the athletes, especially the kids. I love how the little kids look up to an athlete.
