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 The C&G interviewed a top individual participating in each sport to see what it is like behind the scenes of W.F. West spring sports.
Mike Pearson
Track
C&G: What do you think about when you are running?
Mike: I usually want to stay in the lead. If someone comes up on my back I want to pick it up to see if I can drop them off.
C&G: Do you have any pregame rituals, and if so, what are they?
Mike: The distance runners have a thing called the runner's rock. It's got 7 strings that are from our old j.v. uniforms. We take the strings and think about our race. We have a concentration moment. We toss it in the air and then put it back in its shed.
C&G: Who is your sports hero?
Mike: Pre. (Steve Prefontaine)
C&G: Do you like people to cheer you on?
Mike: It doesn't really effect me much. I like people to be there, but they get annoying sometimes.
C&G: What is your favorite memory from track?
Mike: My best memory is when I was at Shoreline. I ran a 4:34 mile with about 40 runners. I got 25th in the race.
Amber Aselton
Fastpitch
C&G: What do you think about when you are playing?
Amber: When I'm up to bat I just want to hit it. When I'm out in the Želd I just want to get three outs and go hit.
C&G: Do you like people to cheer you on?
Amber: I like to have people come watch. I think sometimes it gets the team pumped.
C&G: Would you promote this sport to others who are interested?
Amber: It's just a fun sport. It keeps you out of trouble.
C&G: How would you make softball better?
Amber: Sometimes the umpire I'd change.
C&G: What is your favorite memory from softball?
Amber: Taking third at nationals with the Fury team.
Amirah Parker
Girls' Golf
C&G: What do you think about when you are playing?
Amirah: When I'm putting it into the green I hope I hit the ball and that it goes somewhere.
C&G: How did you start golŽng?
Amirah: All of my friends were playing it and I didn't have a ride home so I started it.
C&G: Who is your sports hero?
Amirah: I don't have a sports hero. I'm not a sports person.
C&G: How would you make golf better?
Amirah: If the ball landed in the water it wouldn't count as an extra swing.
C&G: What is your favorite memory from golf?
Amirah: Hitting Erin Taylor in the face when I chipped a ball into hole nine. She had a black eye for her FBLA conference.
Rick Romo
Boys Tennis
C&G: What do you think about when you are playing?
Rick: I try to think about the next point, but my mind usually wanders off to the crowd, scenery, and sky.
C&G: Do you have any pregame rituals, and if so, what are they?
Rick: I like to listen to heavy metal music before a match because it gets me pumped up.
C&G: How did you start playing tennis?
Rick: When I was in the 6th grade one of my friends, Brian Hartly, got me interested in it.
C&G: Would you make a career of tennis?
Rick: I don't think I would put the time and effort to make a career of it.
C&G: How would you make tennis better?
Rick: I would allow the player to wear anything he wants to.
Travis Maze
Baseball
C&G: What do you think about when you are playing?
Travis: I just focus on the game. I don't worry about what anyone is saying outside. I focus on the ball and know what I'm gonna do.
C&G: Do you have any pregame rituals, and if so, what are they?
Travis: Kyle Donaldson runs up and down the line giving everyone Žves. During home games we touch the red rock we have in the dugout.
C&G: How did you start playing?
Travis: I guess watching professionals and seeing how exciting it is. It looked like fun.
C&G: Would you make a career of baseball?
Travis: If I was given the opportunity, that would be nice. It's pretty rare so I don't plan on it.
C&G: What is your favorite memory from baseball?
Travis: Probably Joel Thompson's catch in Bremerton last year. He dove for it and saved the game. We went into extra innings and won the game.
Bryan Erickson
Boys' Soccer
C&G: Who is your sports hero?
Bryan: The Ultimate hero is Pele. Other than him it is Marco Van Boston.
C&G: Would you make a career of soccer?
Bryan: Yes, because it's taking up a lot ot my time now and it's one of my goals in life.
C&G: Do you like people to cheer?
Bryan: I prefer to have people cheer me on, to cheer the team on. Especially at home games. It's just great to have people yelling for you.
C&G: Would you promote soccer to others who are interested?
Bryan: Yes, because it is a very involved game. Everyone gets to be involved. It's a participation sport. It keeps you in shape.
C&G: What is your favorite memory from soccer?
Bryan: My freshman year against Capitol in Capitol. Monty Schilter had a corner kick and I headed it in. It was great.
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