JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Dawson Mohr, a junior at Scottsbluff High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC – American Family Insurance. Mohr is a standout tennis and basketball player. He played No. 1 singles for the Bearcat tennis team this past season, posting an 18-18 record, and he’s currently in his first season as a full-time starting guard for the Scottsbluff varsity boys basketball team, which is off to a 8-0 start. His parents are Lisa and Paul Mohr.
Q: How do you like the way this season has started for the Scottsbluff boys basketball team?
MOHR: “Getting three wins in the Gillette Tournament was a big confidence booster for us because we played two really good teams there. I’m really proud of how our team has come together.”
Q: How does this year’s team compare to the last two Bearcat teams you’ve been on?
MOHR: “I really like our chemistry. The seniors have a really good bond with each other because they’ve played together most of their lives. And I’ve played with them most of my life, too.”
Q: What are the team’s goals this season?
MOHR: “Our goal is to go deep into the state tournament.”
Q: What are your individual goals this season?
MOHR: “My goals are more team-oriented right now, but I want to be one of the best 3-point shooters in the state. I want to shoot over 50 percent on 3s, and I’d also like to be more of a leader on our team. I’ve been trying to help the younger guys get ready for next year when we won’t have these current seniors.”
Q: How much do you feel like you’ve improved in basketball, especially from last season to this season?
MOHR: “My freshman to sophomore year, I made a little improvement, but the summer between my sophomore and junior years, that’s when things really jumped way up for me in basketball. Even this season, I feel like I’ve improved a lot. I worked hard this summer to get better in all aspects.”
Q: Do you watch a lot of basketball on TV?
MOHR: “Yes, mostly college basketball.”
Q: You also play tennis. How many years have you been playing tennis?
MOHR: “I started my sophomore year.”
Q: Talk about how things went for you this past tennis season.
MOHR: “The season went well. I think our team has grown so much in the two years that I’ve been there, and it’s really started to push me and everyone else to get better.”
Q: Why did you decide to go out for tennis your sophomore year?
MOHR: “I didn’t really enjoy football that much, even though I had played it since middle school. It just felt like the right decision for me. My dad has a lot of knowledge about tennis, so he was able to help me pick up the sport pretty quickly. It came pretty naturally to me.”
Q: Did you think you would be pretty successful at tennis when you decided to go out for that sport?
MOHR: “When I started, I didn’t know how successful I would be. But then about halfway through my first season, I was like, ‘I have a shot to be really good and actually compete for a state championship at my position.’”
Q: Do you work on your tennis game quite a bit throughout the year?
MOHR: “I try to play a good amount. I practice basketball a lot more, but when I have time, I like to fit it in because it’s a good hobby to have.”
Q: What will your goals be for your senior year of high school tennis?
MOHR: “My goal is to win the state championship, and our team goal is to have a good shot at winning a state championship.”
Q: Which sport do you like better – basketball or tennis?
MOHR: “Basketball. It moves a lot faster, and I like the environment more than a quiet tennis match.”
Q: Have you thought about what you would like to do after you graduate from high school?
MOHR: “I want to play college basketball. My goal is to get a college scholarship.”
Q: Do you feel like you still have a lot of room to improve as a basketball player?
MOHR: “Yes, I feel like my game can jump to another level. I have a lot of things that I can add into my game that will help.”
Q: In addition to sports, what other activities are you involved in at school?
MOHR: “I’m in Key Club, I go to FCA, and I’m in National Honor Society.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity at school?
MOHR: “I like FCA. It’s a good group of kids that have a good outlook on life. It’s also a safe environment to go to if you have a problem that you want to talk about.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
MOHR: “I like to travel, and I like to hang out with my friends.”
Q: What’s the most exciting place you’ve traveled to?
MOHR: “The Cayman Islands were pretty sweet. We went there two years ago.”
Q: What is your favorite class this school year?
MOHR: “My English class is pretty enjoyable. We have a lot of discussions in class. It’s not entirely about writing and grammar. We have discussions about life and good qualities you should have as a person.”
Q: Which coach do you feel has made the biggest impact on you?
MOHR: “I would say [Scottsbluff boys basketball head coach Scott Gullion]. I’ve played for him for a lot of years, and we’ve traveled a lot in the summer. It just feels like we have a pretty good bond.”
Q: What would you like to do for a career?
MOHR: “I wanted to go into the medical field, but recently I’ve been debating whether to do that. So, I’m not sure right now.”
Q: Who do you think is the kindest student at Scottsbluff High School?
MOHR: “I would say James Bruner. He has a really positive vibe around him. He likes to make friends with anybody. He’s always in a good mood.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
MOHR: “Just worry more about themselves and not so much about what other people are doing.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
MOHR: “Probably Runza.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in the Scottsbluff community.
MOHR: “The leader of FCA [Nick Goranson] has a big impact on students. He’s always there for people when they’re going through tough times. He relates well to students because he played sports, too, and he understands that it gets tough with school and sports. He’s a good role model. He lives life the right way.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
MOHR: “I have one brother. His name is Connor Mohr. He just turned 15. He doesn’t live in Scottsbluff. He’s goes to school in Bradenton, Florida – called IMG Academy. He plays basketball for IMG Academy. He’s an eighth-grader there. He went there last year, and he played golf there. But he got so into basketball that he decided to switch sports this year.”
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.
