JEFF FIELDER Editor
BRIDGEPORT – Ruthie Loomis-Goltl, a freshman at Bridgeport High School, is this week’s Nspire Today! Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. She competes in volleyball, basketball, and track & field (discus, high jump). This basketball season, the 6-foot-2 Loomis-Goltl is averaging an impressive 21.7 points and 14.8 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs, who are 5-1. Her parents are Claudia and Pat.
Q: Talk about how this basketball season has been going so far for the Bridgeport varsity girls.
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “It’s been going really well. We’re looking good. I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
Q: Has the team started this season even stronger than you thought it would?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “We’ve maybe done a little better than I thought we would. We just keep getting better.”
Q: What are the team’s goals this season?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “We definitely want to make it to the state tournament. Also, we want to continue to get better every day.”
Q: What’s helped Bridgeport have so much success so far this season?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Our new coach has done a really good job with us. Also, I think we’re all pretty close. We’re a pretty tight-knit team, and I think that definitely helps a lot.”
Q: How do you like how your season has been going individually?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I’m happy with how things have been going.”
Q: What were your hopes coming into the season?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I just wanted to try to help our team win games.”
Q: Being a freshman, were you a little nervous coming into this basketball season?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I was nervous, but I feel pretty comfortable playing basketball – more than volleyball. So, I was a little nervous, but at the same time, I felt comfortable going into the basketball season.”
Q: Which sport do you enjoy the most?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I like basketball the most. I love the pace of the game. I love playing the game all the time.”
Q: Talk about the chemistry on this year’s basketball team.
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Everybody gets along really well on the team. I think we have really good chemistry. We’re all friends, so I think that helps a lot.”
Q: What’s helped you become the player you are right now?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I’ve played with a lot of different teams growing up, and my dad has helped me a lot outside of playing organized basketball. Also, I went to a camp at UNL this past summer, and that’s definitely helped me a lot to kind of expand my game. I want to keep improving on the things that I know I can improve on.”
Q: What are your long-term goals? Is playing college basketball something you’ve thought about?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Yes, that’s definitely something I want to do in the future.”
Q: Talk about how the volleyball season went for you and your teammates.
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “We had a good season. We were a pretty young team, so that kind of hindered us in some ways, but at the same time, we have a bright future. I’m looking forward to next season.”
Q: Are you involved in any other activities at school besides sports?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I’m on the Quiz Bowl team, and I’m in band.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Definitely band.”
Q: What instrument do you play in band?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I play the tuba.”
Q: How long have you been playing the tuba?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Since I was in sixth grade.”
Q: Why did you decide to play the tuba?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I’m not sure. I just started playing the tuba, and I’ve stuck with it. I like it a lot. It’s really fun.”
Q: How well have you adjusted to high school?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “It took me awhile to adjust, just because you have so much less time with practice. But I like it more than middle school.”
Q: Up to this point in your educational career, which teacher has made the biggest influence on you?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “My physical science teacher, Mr. [Larry] Jones. He’s taught me to be better organized.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I like to read, and I like to hang out with friends.”
Q: Have you lived in Bridgeport your whole life?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Yes, I have.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in the Bridgeport community?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I like it a lot. Everybody is pretty close. It’s a nice, small town.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Saturday Night Live.”
Q: What kind of music do you like listening to?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Pop music and Indie.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “The Steel Grill.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Steak nachos.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in your community.
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Tammy Covalt. She’s the librarian. She’s awesome. She’s really cool. She’s really generous. It doesn’t matter who you are. She’ll help you with homework or finding a book or just anything. She’s just a really nice lady.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Bridgeport, which one would it be and why?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “K-Lawn. I’ve worked for Andy Leisy, and he’s a really good guy, and they help a lot of people with their business.”
Q: Who is one of the kindest students at Bridgeport High School?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I’d say Lindsie Leithead. She’s nice to everybody no matter who you are. She’s a freshman.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Putting yourself in other people’s shoes. Understand where people are coming from and what they’re experiencing right now. Just try to be empathetic and understand their situation better.”
Q: What do you think is the neatest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “Chimney Rock. It’s pretty cool.”
Q: Who are your siblings?
LOOMIS-GOLTL: “I have an older brother, [Seth, 20], and my sisters are Evy [17] and Olivia [13].”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
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