Athletes of the Week: Erin Stock and John Garrelts

Senior+Erin+Stock+swims+in+a+meet+for+Francis+Howell+North+and+John+Garrelts+takes+possession+of+the+ball+in+a+basketball+game+for+Francis+Howell+North.

Credit to Sam Cary and Riley McCrackin

Senior Erin Stock swims in a meet for Francis Howell North and John Garrelts takes possession of the ball in a basketball game for Francis Howell North.

By Joel Boenitz

Erin Stock

Q: How do you balance sports with school?

A: I don’t get a ton of sleep, but since they’re both my top priorities, I just find time to put my best effort into both.

Q: What are your goals for this season?

A: We’re hoping to get a relay team to state this season and  I’m hoping to make it again this season in my individual events.

Q: What event do you enjoy swimming the most?

A: I enjoy swimming all of them, but my favorite would be the 100 meter butterfly.

Q: You’ve been to state each of your first three years. How do you plan to make it back again?

A: I’ll do the same as I have in the past. I’ll put in a lot of hard work and focus on the motivation of my team and from my team.

Q: How have you been preparing for this season?

A: We’re working a lot harder as a team this season, we’ve been bonding more. I’ve just been doing the same as in the past, putting in what I have to so I can get out what I want to.

Q: How have you enjoyed the presence of your new coach so far?

A: He’s a very good motivator and influencer.

We’ve worked harder this year than I ever have with what he’s taught the team. We’re a lot closer as a team, so he definitely brings a close-bonded team atmosphere.

— Erin Stock

Q: As a team how do you think you guys will do this season?

A: I think we’ll do a lot better this season than we have in the past years. We did improve a lot last year, but I think we can improve upon last year’s performance.

 

John Garrelts

Q: How do you balance sports and school?

A: Usually, after basketball, I spend a half hour to an hour on homework, so it’s not that difficult for me.

Q: What are your goals for the season?

A: Our goal is probably to get a lot farther in districts than we have in the years before. A winning season is also something we would like.

Q: How have you been preparing for this season?

A: We’ve practiced everyday until five, we’ve been scrimmaging against jv a lot, and just getting in shape.

Q: What do you enjoy most about basketball?

A:  Playing basketball is more of a team effort. You get five people out there that usually don’t get a chance to play with each other.

Q: What position do you play, and what is your main role on the court?

A: I’m probably the center because I’m the tallest player. My role is to cover the opponent’s tallest player and rebound the ball.

Q: How excited are you to be a varsity starter this year?

A: This year I’m very excited. We have a good chance of doing a lot better than we have in year’s pass.

Q: How difficult do you think it will be adjusting from jv to varsity?

A: It’s a real different game. It’s a lot more fast paced and there’s a lot more competition.