MALE
Mark McDonald, Columbus East sophomore running back
McDonald carried 30 times for a career-high 313 yards and four touchdowns Friday to lead the Olympians to a 58-48 win at Bedford North Lawrence in a game that decided the Hoosier Hills Conference title.
His performance last week: “I didn’t know my rushing yards and how good I was doing. I just played. When I figured (the total yards) out, I was like, ‘Yeah, I did pretty good.’”
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Do you do anything special to prepare? “I just go into every game the same way. I like to go home before games and chill out and just get my mind right, and then I come in and listen to music.”
Favorite drink: “Gatorade”
Favorite food: “Chipotle”
Favorite book: “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Favorite class: “Weights”
Role model: “Ezekiel Elliott”
Best advice: “Just always work hard and give everything I have.”
Athletics goal: “Go D-I.”
If you could travel anywhere: “California, to the beach. It’s warm.”
FEMALE
Hannah Johnson, Hauser sophomore volleyball player
Johnson led the Jets with with 28 kills, five blocks and four aces in a five-set semifinal win against Southwestern (Shelby) and 20 kills, five blocks and two aces in a three-set title-game win against Rising Sun Saturday in the Hauser Sectional.
Her performance last week: “As a team, we played really well. For me, I started off really slow. I was hitting a lot of balls out, but by the end of the game when it got really tight, I stepped up my game. I played really well throughout the rest of the game.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “Usually, I’ll go home, and I’ll take a nap because I like to sleep. Then I’ll come and I’ll warm up with Alexis (Schwartze-Graham), and then I’ll warm up with Aunaka (Wasil). Then, I’ll usually sit for a little bit and listen to music. Then, I’ll talk to Shelby (Fugate) about the game and how we’ll do as a team and also talk with Aunaka, as well.”
Favorite drink: “Sweet tea.”
Favorite food: “My mom makes these nachos, and they’re my favorite.”
Favorite book: “I don’t have a favorite book.”
Favorite class: “My English class just because most of my friends are in there.”
Role model: “My brother (Gabe Johnson), who is in the Navy. He’ll call me every week and always makes sure how I’m doing and making sure I’m doing well. He helps understand no matter what, he is always there. He is always pushing me to do better.”
Best advice: “No matter what happens, just do your best. If you want to go places, you have to put in the work. Give 110 percent no matter what I’m doing.”
Athletics goal: “My goal would be play in college at D-I, but if not, D-II or D-III. I definitely want to go somewhere and keep playing volleyball. ”
If you could travel anywhere: “I’d like to travel to Australia because it seems really fun, it’s really pretty, and I want to visit all of the animals there.”
