JEFF FIELDER Editor
LINGLE, Wyo. – Cordell Forkner, a junior at Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School, is Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. He competes in football, basketball, and track & field. In basketball, the 6-foot-1 Forkner is in his third year as a starting guard. The Lingle-Ft. Laramie boys basketball team, which is 4-4 on the season, next plays Jan. 10 against Crawford. His parents are Elizabeth and Martin.
Q: How have things been going for Lingle-Ft. Laramie’s varsity boys basketball team?
FORKNER: “We’re doing good. We started off kind of slow, but we’ve been picking things up. We’ve played a lot of the top teams in the state already, so that’s good for us.”
Q: What are your expectations for the rest of this season?
FORKNER: “We had a lot of young kids last year, so this year we have more experience. We’re going to try to make a good run at state.”
Q: How many starters returned to this year’s team?
FORKNER: “Four.”
Q: What are your goals individually for this season?
FORKNER: “Just to help my team out the best I can and be a good leader.”
Q: How much more comfortable do you feel on the court this year compared to last season?
FORKNER: “I feel a lot more comfortable. The experience helps a lot.”
Q: How much progress do you feel like you’ve made since you started playing basketball in high school?
FORKNER: “I’ve made a lot of progress. I feel like I’m a lot quicker. I put in a lot of work this summer.”
Q: What is the strength of this year’s team?
FORKNER: “We have a lot of height and size, and we’re pretty fast, too.”
Q: At this point, what’s the biggest thing the team needs to work on?
FORKNER: “Consistency, for sure, on both offense and defense.”
Q: How do you think Lingle-Ft. Laramie compares to the other teams in its region?
FORKNER: “Well, we’re ranked fifth in the state right now.”
Q: Do you like where Lingle-Ft. Laramie is ranked?
FORKNER: “Yes, I do. I think we’re a little bit under the radar right now, but that’s all right.”
Q: Has it been kind of nice to have a holiday break from basketball?
FORKNER: “I think it’s good for us to get away from basketball for a little bit because we had been hitting it pretty hard early in the season.”
Q: Of the sports you compete in, which one do you enjoy the most?
FORKNER: “It’s between football and basketball.”
Q: What positions do you play in football?
FORKNER: “Fullback and nose guard.”
Q: How did the football season go for Lingle-Ft. Laramie this fall?
FORKNER: “We lost in the semifinals. It’s the first time we’ve made it in the past three years, so it was a good season.”
Q: How did your season go individually in football?
FORKNER: “I was an all-conference and all-state selection.”
Q: How do things look for next year’s football team?
FORKNER: “We’re moving up to 9-man next year [from 6-man], but I think we should do pretty good.”
Q: What events do you compete in during the track and field season?
FORKNER: “Shot put and discus.”
Q: Are you hoping to compete in athletics after high school?
FORKNER: “Yes, it’s something I hope to do. It’s one of my goals.”
Q: Are you looking at any particular colleges, and which sport would you like to play in college?
FORKNER: “I think it would be really cool to play for UW for football. I think I have a better chance of going somewhere for football than I do for basketball, so that’s why I’m leaning more toward football.”
Q: Outside of sports, what do you enjoy doing for fun?
FORKNER: “I like to be outdoors, like hunting and fishing.”
Q: Where is your favorite place to go fishing?
FORKNER: “Probably up in the mountains for trout.”
Q: What is your favorite subject in school?
FORKNER: “Physical education.”
Q: Have you thought about what you would like to do for a career?
FORKNER: “I haven’t yet. I’m just focusing on my sports right now.”
Q: Have you always lived in Lingle?
FORKNER: “Yes.”
Q: What has it been like growing up in the Lingle community?
FORKNER: “It’s like we’re all one big family. I’ve been with a lot of my classmates since preschool, so we’re close.”
Q: Which coach do you feel has made the biggest impact on you?
FORKNER: “Probably my football coach, Matthew Cornelius. He’s really pushed me and has taught me a lot about life. He’s made me a better player and a better person.”
Q: Which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
FORKNER: “A lot of them have. I have a lot of teachers I like and who have helped me out a lot.”
Q: Who do you think is the kindest student at Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School?
FORKNER: “I would say Gage Correa. He’s a senior. He would drop everything to go help someone. He’s a really kind-hearted kid.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
FORKNER: “ESPN.”
Q: What type of music do you like to listen to?
FORKNER: “I’ll listen to anything.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
FORKNER: “Lira’s.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
FORKNER: “Yes, I have two brothers and three sisters: Dakota, 29; Dallie, 24; Dillon, 21; Paige, 19; and Payton, 11.”
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.comor 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.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in December to the Veterans and Military Families Emergency Relief Organization.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
