The Mid-Columbia Athletes of the Week for January 13, 2012.
Girls
Sadie Sparks, Senior, Chiawana
Sparks lived up to her name on the basketball court last week.
On Friday against Richland, she had a nine-point second quarter on the way to a season-high 23 points in Chiawana’s 54-40 victory.
“Knowing it’s our home court and we’ve got to come out big, there was more underneath it,” she said. “We’ve got to win. There’s more on the line.”
The next night, Sparks finished with a game-high 16 points in a 72-36 road win over Davis.
Unlike the Richland game, in which the starting five played the bulk of the minutes, more Riverhawks got into the mix. Sparks hopes her less experienced teammates can see more playing time as the season progresses.
“I know we’re pretty young, but I think we’re doing pretty good,” she said. “By the end of the season, we’ll be amazing. We’ll get it all figured out.”
Q'n'A
Favorite food: Sour cream and onion goldfish
Favorite nonsport activity: Wakeboarding
Favorite athlete: Tim Tebow
Most like to meet (living or dead): Someone who has been an Olympic runner
Favorite class: Psychology
Pregame ritual: We get in the locker room, and before we run out, we get in a circle and pray. We hold hands, run in a circle and scream.
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Last book read (not for school): The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I liked it, but I hated how it ended. Now I have to get the other one.
Best song on your iPod: It depends on the situation. (Before a game), it’s Remember the Name by Fort Minor.
Career plans: I want to major in psychology wherever I go; that’s one thing I know for sure. I want to do studies of the brain.
Favorite court: I’m really used to our Chiawana floor. It’s the most comfortable.
Best advice from coach Steve Davis: Be strong, mentally and physically.
Favorite restaurant: Olive Garden
Dream vacation: Australia
Favorite place: Hawaii
Million dollars: I would make sure that it goes to a lot of fundraisers for less fortunate people.
Boys
Austin Garrett, Senior, Walla Walla
Garrett was part of a satisfying team effort in last week’s boys swimming victories against Wenatchee and Moses Lake.
“This is the first year in my four years that we beat Wenatchee and Moses Lake,” he said.
Garrett won the 50-yard freestyle Jan. 5 against Moses Lake in a state-qualifying time of 22.79 seconds. He also claimed the 100 free and competed on the winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays.
Two days later against Wenatchee, Garrett earned victories in the 200 free, 100 butterfly and again in the 200 medley relay.
In the 400 free relay, Garrett anchored the Blue Devils to a first-place finish, wrapping up a 97-83 victory over the Panthers.
“All 30 boys were on the sideline screaming,” Garrett said.
Q'n'A
Favorite food: Pepperoni pizza with the guys team every Friday
Favorite nonsport activity: Playing music (mostly drums) with my ’80s rock band, Woonded Accordion
Favorite athlete: My uncle, Matt Perkins, who’s really good at tennis and basketball; he always has a positive attitude at everything.
Sports highlight/memory: Districts last year — we were behind in the 200 medley relay by about two body lengths, and I came back and beat the guy next to me by a tenth of a second.
Prerace ritual: We do a chant from Finding Nemo, as well as the cheer “Big blue wrecking crew.”
Between-race snack: Cheez-Its
Must-have on the road: At districts (in Ellensburg), it’s tradition for me and another guy, Zach Staudenmaier, to buy chocolate milk and a pie. We have to have that, or else we don’t swim well.
Last book read (not for school): The seventh Harry Potter book
Best song on your iPod: Paradise by Coldplay
Career plans: I’m going to become an Olympic swimmer when I grow up, and (fellow Wa-Hi swimmer) Max Troin is going to be my manager and agent.
Favorite pool: The pool for state (King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way)
Favorite restaurant: Olive Garden — I love the breadsticks.
Million dollars: Buy Wa-Hi a new pool and then I would give the rest of it to my manager, Max Troin.
Coaches nominations: Nominations should be sent to sports@tricityherald.com and must be received by noon Sunday.
