Grant

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

What I love most about playing the sports that I play is making new friends and building relationships with teammates and coaches. I think that it is very important that we establish faith and trust in each other. We must also develop a true love for each other. This can only be done if we truly get to know each other which is why I love spending time with my teammates and coaches on and off the field. I still have friendships with teammates I met in my very first little league game.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

God and my father are who inspires me the most. God inspires me to play ethically, morally and fairly. I never want to win a game, award or trophy that I/my team did not earn. My father inspirers me to improve myself. He instilled in me the phrase by Tim Notke, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard ". This is a motto I think about daily and it drives me to practice every day. I am also inspired by my teammates who show the greatest improvement because it validates my motto.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

I was proudest when Grant's basketball team won their first championship. His team had only two wins per session and many of his teammates were getting frustrated that they were not winning so some of the players left and went to other team. A few recruiters asked Grant to join more successful teams but he stayed loyal to his team. After three sessions, hard work and determination; Grant's team went on to win their first of three championships.