Athletes of the Week – January 11

MALE

Matt Cornett
Matt Cornett

Matt Cornett, South Decatur senior basketball player

Cornett went over the 1,000-point mark for his career with a 34-point performance in Friday’s 68-49 loss to Henryville. He added 17 points in Saturday’s 69-34 win against Medora.

His performance last week: “Saturday, everything came easy. We knew Medora wasn’t a great team, but we just wanted to come out and play … Henryville was a little bit tougher. They’re a pretty good team.”

Do you do anything special to prepare? “Not usually. We go over what (the opponent does) in the locker room and try to get that in mind. We just come out and play.”

Favorite drink: “Purple Gatorade”

Favorite food: “Pizza”

Favorite book: “I don’t read.”

Favorite class: “I don’t have a favorite class.”

Role model: “My freshman coach, Kelly Agnew.”

Best advice: “It actually came from Kelly Agnew. Earlier this year when we ended up upsetting South Ripley, I told him about the prediction that we were 32-point underdogs. He said, ‘They’re just predictions. Every game has to be played.’”

Athletics goal: “I’d like to get All-State this year, not just honorable mention. I think it’s a lot tougher this year … I’d like to compete in the sectional (championship) game this year, too. Hopefully, we can get a good draw and go from there, and I’m not sure, I might go play college ball.”

If you could travel anywhere: “I want to go to New York and see Rucker Park.”

FEMALE

Claire Thompson
Claire Thompson

Claire Thompson, Columbus North senior gymnast

Thompson won the vault (9.6), bars (9.65) and beam (9.7) and finished second on the floor (9.55) to win the all-around with a 38.5 and lead the Bull Dogs to a season-opening win at Bloomington North.

Her performance last week: “I thought I did very well, especially for it being our first meet. The team performed very well, too.”

Do you do anything special to prepare? “I just try to remember to do everything exactly how I would in a practice and just stay calm throughout the whole thing.”

Favorite drink: “When I’m not drinking water, which I do most of the time, I usually drink root beer.”

Favorite food: “Pizza”

Favorite book: “The Divergent Series”

Favorite class: “English”

Role model: “My mom (Jana Thompson)”

Best advice: “To always just go out there and do my best and to have fun.”

Athletics goal: “To have a very good last season of gymnastics.”

If you could travel anywhere: “Los Angeles. I’ve always wanted to go.”