MALE
Parker VanNess, Brown County sophomore golfer
VanNess won medalist honors in both matches last week at Salt Creek. He fired an even-par 36 in a 191-196 loss to Owen Valley and a 37 in a 182-215 win against Mitchell.
His performance last week: “It was good. Finally getting to shoot a couple of rounds under par was nice. I haven’t really played that well this whole season until then.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “If the course has a range, I’ll usually go there and hit some balls. But I usually do this putting drill before every match. I’ll make 10 three-footers just to get my confidence up before we go out there.”
Favorite drink: “Coke”
Favorite food: “Chicken fingers”
Favorite book: “’Five Fundamentals of Golf’ by Ben Hogan”
Favorite class: “AP world history”
Role model: “Probably my dad (Ben VanNess) because he’s been there through everything, and he’s helped with with my golf game since I was really little. ”
Best advice: “Don’t let the bad shots get you down, and don’t let a score get in your head. The game is about score, but if you let a bad shot or bad hole get to you, that’ll just mess you up for the whole day.”
Athletics goal: “I want to go to college and play golf there, then graduate after four years and hopefully play professional golf.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Scotland, because that’s the birthplace of golf. I’ve always wanted to go over there play some of those courses.”
FEMALE
Alexis Harsh, Jennings County junior track athlete
Harsh won the long jump, 100 meters and 200 and anchored the winning 4×100 relay team to lead the Panthers to a 98-34 win against Madison.
Her performance last week: “I could have done better in the 100 and long jump.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “I usually write my Bible verse (Hebrews 12:1) on my hand and just try to think positive thoughts.”
Favorite drink: “Powerade”
Favorite food: “Watermelon”
Favorite book: “Dear John”
Favorite class: “Spanish III”
Role model: “Justine Corya (a 2016 Jennings County graduate now running at Indiana State)”
Best advice: “Always push yourself, especially in conditioning, because it will always help out in the end.”
Athletics goal: “To win sectional and go to state in the 100 and 200.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Probably Bora Bora. The pictures are really pretty when I look at them.”
