JEFF FIELDER Editor
SIDNEY – Daniel Bashtovoi, a sophomore on Sidney High School’s boys cross country team, is this week’s Nspire Today! Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Bashtovoi has had a sensational season so far, including placing second in the Sidney Invite this past week. He and his teammates will compete in the Class C, District 4 meet in Ogallala on Thursday. Bashtovoi helped the Sidney boys win a state title last year. His GPA is a 4.0. He has one brother, Benjamin, who’s a senior at SHS, and one sister, Emily, 11. His parents are Amy and Denis Bashtovoi.
Q: How do you feel the Sidney boys cross country team has performed up to this point in the season?
BASHTOVOI: “We had to step up from last season. Each person on the team had to put in a lot of work to make the team better as a whole.”
Q: Has this year’s team met your expectations so far?
BASHTOVOI: “I would say we’ve exceeded my expectations. I was hoping that we would be as good as last year’s team. Throughout the meets, we’ve performed well. I feel like we’ve performed just as well if not better than we did last year.”
Q: Has this year’s team made lots of progress each week?
BASHTOVOI: “I would say so. We learn each meet and try to take that experience and apply it to our next challenge.”
Q: What’s been the biggest key to Sidney’s success this year?
BASHTOVOI: “I would say pushing each other during practice and during meets. As our coach says, ‘You make yourself better by making those around you better.’”
Q: How much fun have you had this season?
BASHTOVOI: “It’s been a lot of fun running with my brother [Benjamin Bashtovoi, a senior] for the last time. I’ve also enjoyed running with my other teammates. It’s been a great season overall.”
Q: What is Sidney’s goal going into districts?
BASHTOVOI: “As a team, our goal is to win the district meet, and we want to get as many individuals as we can in the top 10.”
Q: Is Sidney’s goal to repeat as state champs this year?
BASHTOVOI: “For sure, yes. That’s on all of our minds.”
Q: How pleased are you with the way your season has been going individually?
BASHTOVOI: “I’m really happy with the meets I’ve been in and the times I’ve gotten.”
Q: Which meet do you feel has been your best?
BASHTOVOI: “I would say either Cozad or the Sidney Invite. At Cozad, the weather was really nice, and it was a really flat course. It was the first time I’ve run on it, so I was really excited going into it. I also really like home meets. The home crowd comes out and is really exciting.”
Q: Have you met all of your goals up to this point?
BASHTOVOI: “I’ve met most of them, but not all of them.”
Q: What are your goals for districts and then possibly state?
BASHTOVOI: “I would definitely like to be in the top five at districts, and I would be happy if I could place at state.”
Q: How do you feel this year compared to last year?
BASHTOVOI: “I feel a lot more comfortable, definitely, during the races.”
Q: Are you involved in any other sports at Sidney High School?
BASHTOVOI: “I compete in track during the spring.”
Q: What other activities are you involved in at school?
BASHTOVOI: “I’m in student council, best robotics, mock trial, and I’m also a class officer for the sophomore grade. I’m the president.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity?
BASHTOVOI: “Probably mock trial. It’s my first year doing it. It’s really fun being able to work with the other people and developing a character as a witness.”
Q: How much fun has it been running with your brother last year and this year?
BASHTOVOI: “I really enjoy running with him. We push each other, and it’s fun to see how the races stack up in cross country versus track.”
Q: Do the two of you do much together outside of sports?
BASHTOVOI: “Yes. All of the extra curricular activities that I’m in my brother is also in, so he helps me in robotics and mock trial. We spend a lot of time working together in those activities, and I really enjoy it.”
Q: Have you always lived in Sidney?
BASHTOVOI: “Yes, I’ve lived here all my life.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in the community of Sidney?
BASHTOVOI: “I really it. I have a lot of close friends, and the school is really close. It’s not too big, and it’s not too small. I think it’s almost perfect.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
BASHTOVOI: “I would say Shark Tank.”
Q: What kind of music do you like to listen to?
BASHTOVOI: “I like a good movie soundtrack. My favorite is Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
BASHTOVOI: “Probably Oya. It’s a Mexican restaurant close to the school. I remember during track we would always go there in between events to get some lunch.”
Q: What do you like to order there?
BASHTOVOI: “Probably the nachos.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Sidney, which one would it be?
BASHTOVOI: “I would say Shirt Tales for making all of the teams’ shirts throughout the seasons.”
Q: Who do you think is the kindest person at Sidney High School this school year?
BASHTOVOI: “I would say Mitch Deer. He’s on the cross country team, and he’s always polite no matter what the situation is. He’s a sophomore.”
Q: What do you plan to do on Halloween this year?
BASHTOVOI: “I haven’t made plans yet, but I like to hang out with friends.”
Q: What is your favorite holiday?
BASHTOVOI: “Probably Thanksgiving because we get to go to our grandparents’ house and eat really good food and hang out with the family while playing board games.”
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.
