JEFF FIELDER Editor
GERING – Hunter Walker, a senior on Gering High School’s tennis team, is this week’s Nspire Today! Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Hunter had a sensational season, capped by earning a sixth-place medal in the Class B state tournament this past week at No. 2 singles. He finished this season with a 21-11 record. His parents are Chris Cottrell and Jennifer Sibal.
Q: How pleased are you with the way you played at the state tournament?
WALKER: “I thought I played pretty well. I went 2-2. I beat the players I probably should have beaten and lost to a pretty good player from Mount Michael. He ended up getting second. Also, I lost to a kid from York for fifth place. But overall, I thought I played pretty well.”
Q: How exciting was it to come away with a sixth-place medal, especially in your last season of high school tennis?
WALKER: “That was my goal going into the season – to play on the second day and medal at state. It was pretty cool to end my career like that, especially since I hadn’t done that my first two years of playing tennis.”
Q: Do you feel like you played your best tennis of the season at state?
WALKER: “Yes. I think I played the best match of my career against Adams Central in the consolation bracket.”
Q: How many years did you compete at state?
WALKER: “Three. My first two years I played No. 1 doubles with Dyson Dollarhide. This year was my first year playing singles.”
Q: How much did you enjoy playing singles this year, especially at state?
WALKER: “It was a lot different because it’s more of a mental battle with yourself – just trying to keep yourself focused and positive the whole time.”
Q: How many total years have you been playing tennis?
WALKER: “Just three years.”
Q: Why did you decide to start playing tennis your sophomore year?
WALKER: “I played football my freshman year, and I didn’t play a lot. I just didn’t have the body type. I knew I wasn’t going to end up being very good at football. Also, two of my friends played tennis their freshman year – Dyson and Mark (Karpf) – and they convinced me to go out for tennis my sophomore year. I did, and I loved it.”
Q: Talk about the progress you made during your three years of tennis.
WALKER: “I felt like I made a lot of progress. Some of those kids I played at state had been playing for six or seven years. I’ve only been playing for three years, but I was competing well and beating some of them. I had to work really hard to get to where I am. My coaches helped me a lot, like Ron Swank. And the Scottsbluff tennis coach, Darren Emerick, helped me a ton. Also, April Carlson helped me a lot, too.”
Q: Are you going to try to keep playing tennis after high school?
WALKER: “There’s a couple schools I’m looking at for tennis. But I’m not sure yet.”
Q: What do you feel is the strongest part of your tennis game?
WALKER: “I think my net play. I was pretty consistent with some of my groundstrokes, but I think my net play is what set me apart from some of the competition.”
Q: Do you compete in any other sports?
WALKER: “I play basketball.”
Q: How much are you looking forward to the basketball season?
WALKER: “It will be a lot of fun. We have a new coach, Kyle Cotton, who I really like, and the team really likes him, too. Also, I’m excited to play with some of my other teammates who are seniors and who I’ve been playing with for a long time. It will be fun.”
Q: What other activities are you involved in at school?
WALKER: “I’m in DECA. I went to nationals last year for DECA.”
Q: How much fun was it to make it nationals in DECA?
WALKER: “It was awesome. It was a great experience because I went with two of my friends who were seniors last year, and they helped me get to nationals and showed me what DECA is all about.”
Q: Are you involved in any clubs or groups outside of school?
WALKER: “Yes, there’s a youth group that I go to. It’s at Calvary Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff.”
Q: What do you plan to major in at college?
WALKER: “I’m kind of deciding between two majors. My dad is the sports director at KNEB, and his job is really awesome and appeals to me – broadcasting games for the radio. That would be really cool. He and I both really love sports. Also, I’d like to maybe be a teacher and coach someday.”
Q: After college, do you hope to live in the Scottsbluff/Gering area?
WALKER: “I have a lot of family in Kansas City and in the Missouri area, so I think I would like to maybe live there.”
Q: Have you always lived in Gering?
WALKER: “Yes.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Gering?
WALKER: “It’s been awesome. The community is great. I love going to school in Gering. I love all the teachers.”
Q: Which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
WALKER: “Mr. [John] Boswell has been really awesome. He was my freshman basketball coach, and he and I had a really good connection. He’s been awesome as a mentor to me. He’s given me advice, and we talk a lot. He’s been great.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in the Gering community.
WALKER: “I think Matt Palomo, who runs the Gering Tennis Club, is a big difference-maker in the community because he not only does a lot of stuff for the tennis community but also for Boy Scouts.”
Q: In your opinion, who is the kindest person at Gering High School?
WALKER: “I think Annie Boggs [a Gering High School teacher] is really kind. She’s awesome. I have library with her.”
Q: What do you like to do for fun outside of your school activities?
WALKER: “I play tennis a lot, but my dad and I like to watch a lot of sports. I’m a big sports fanatic. I like to watch any kind of sport.”
Q: What’s your favorite sport to watch on TV?
WALKER: “Basketball or football.”
Q: Favorite college team?
WALKER: “For basketball, my dad and I both like Georgetown.”
Q: Why do you both like Georgetown?
WALKER: “My dad grew up watching Georgetown, and he still likes watching them now, and I do, too.”
Q: Is there a professional sports athlete who you follow more than others?
WALKER: “Patrick Mahomes is really cool. We’re big Chiefs fans, so we like watching him play.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
WALKER: “The Office.”
Q: Favorite type of music?
WALKER: “I like everything, but I really like old school rap.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
WALKER: “I like Culver’s.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
WALKER: “I usually get a ButterBurger and some fries. The custard is really good, too.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one local business, which one would it be and why?
WALKER: “Logoz. I think Jeremy Dollarhide does a really good job with his designs. He makes some cool stuff for the tennis team and also for other Gering teams.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
WALKER: “Yes. I have a younger brother, Alec Sibal. He’s 14.”
Q: Anything else to add?
WALKER: “[Mark Karpf] works harder than anyone I know in tennis and in life, and he is going to be successful no matter what he does in life.”
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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