JEFF FIELDER Editor
MINATARE – Haydon Olds, a junior on Minatare High School’s football team, is this week’s Nspire Today! Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Olds plays running back on offense and linebacker and defensive line on defense for the Indians. He had a superb performance Friday, scoring four touchdowns, collecting nearly 10 tackles, including three sacks, and recovering a fumble in Minatare’s first win of the season, a 36-0 victory over Hay Springs. Olds is in his second year as a starter. His parents are Tiffany Olds and Anthony Benavides.
Q: How excited are you about how Minatare performed against Hay Springs?
OLDS: “I was really pleased with how things turned out. Everybody worked hard and played their assignments well.”
Q: You scored 30 points in the game. How good did it feel to come through like that for your team?
OLDS: “It felt pretty amazing. It was just one of those nights. My teammates helped me a lot. The offensive line did great.”
Q: How much fun have you had this season overall?
OLDS: “I’ve had a lot of fun, even though we’ve lost some games.”
Q: How awesome did it feel to earn the first win of the season?
OLDS: “It was really exciting. Minatare hadn’t beaten Hay Springs in football before, so it was great to get the win.”
Q: As a team, what did the players talk about going into the game against Hay Springs?
OLDS: “We talked about how Hay Springs beat us last year in the playoffs and also during the regular season. We really wanted to get this win.”
Q: Minatare started the season with four straight losses. Did the team stay pretty positive despite that start?
OLDS: “Yes, we did. We knew we had things to work on, and we worked hard to improve. It showed in the game [against Hay Springs].”
Q: What’s the focus going to be on in Minatare’s last three games of the season?
OLDS: “They’re all really important games because we still have a shot to get into the playoffs. Personally, the game that means the most to me is Creek Valley [Oct. 25] because they’re undefeated. Beating them would be a big upset.”
Q: Which side – offense or defense – do you like to play on better?
OLDS: “I really like to play both.”
Q: How do you feel on the field this season compared to last season?
OLDS: “I feel more relaxed. Last year was my first year playing six-man, and I really didn’t know what to do because it was all new to me. This year I feel more relaxed because I know what I’m doing.”
Q: Do you compete in any other sports?
OLDS: “Yes, I compete in wrestling.”
Q: Which sport do you like better – football or wrestling?
OLDS: “Wrestling because I’ve been doing that a lot longer. It’s an exciting sport.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed going to school in Minatare?
OLDS: “I like it. It’s small and enjoyable.”
Q: What’s your favorite class this year?
OLDS: “I would say web design.”
Q: Up to this point in your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest impact on you?
OLDS: “I would say my freshman science teacher [at Scottsbluff High School]. His name is Rob Shoopman. He was always willing to help me when I needed it.”
Q: Who’s your favorite professional football team?
OLDS: “The Dallas Cowboys.”
Q: Why the Cowboys?
OLDS: “Because I’ve liked them ever since I was little. They’re a solid team.”
Q: Who’s your favorite college football team?
OLDS: “I really don’t have one. I don’t really like college football. I don’t find it as entertaining as the NFL.”
Q: Have you started to think about what you would like to do after you graduate from high school?
OLDS: “Yes, I have. I would like to go to Morningside College to wrestle and to study law.”
Q: What got you interested in studying law?
OLDS: “It’s just something that I’ve been interested in ever since I was little – either being a police officer or a lawyer.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in Minatare.
OLDS: “I would say my grandma [Sandy Cerda Standley] because she works at the school, and she helps with all of the booster club stuff and with football and other sports. She’s willing to help anyone in the community.”
Q: Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?
OLDS: “I have a brother. His name is Jacob Benavides. He’s 10.”
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
OLDS: “The Flyover Brewing Company [in Scottsbluff]. I go there a lot. The pizza and the wings are really good there.”
Q: Who do you feel is the kindest student at Minatare High School?
OLDS: “I would say EJ Garza. He’s a junior.”
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.
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 October to the Panhandle Humane Society.
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.
