42 | July 21, 2016 | The New Lenox Patriot sports newlenoxpatriot.com Athlete of the Week 10 Questions with Ryan McWilliams Ryan McWilliams is going to be a junior at Lincoln-Way West High School, where he will be a member of the Warriors baseball team. Who got you into baseball? Mostly my dad, my uncle, and my grandpa. They all played baseball at a high level. My dad played for the Philadelphia Phillies, my grandpa played for the Mets, and my uncle was drafted out of high school. I’ve really admired all three of them, and have always wanted to get to their level. What’s the best part about the sport? The thing I’ve learned is that you fail 70 percent of the game but succeed at the other 30 percent. If you fail, you always have that next opportunity to hit the next pitch at the next at bat, so that’s really what I love about the game. What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten from one of your coaches? Keep it simple. If I ever made a mistake, my coach would say, “I know what type of talent you have, so prove it the next play.” Who do you look up to? I’ve always looked up to my dad. I’ve never had a hitting coach or a pitching coach, and he has always been the one that has helped me out. He has always been a role model to me. Do you have any pregame superstitions? I usually sit in the dugout and talk to myself saying, “This is what I’m going to do today.” Before every at bat and before every game I pitch, I think about what I’m going to do in this type of situation. What made you want to be a pitcher? I just like the aspect of pitching. My dad was a pitcher, and he basically trained me to become a pitcher. As a left-handed pitcher, I can go really far as long as I pitch in the strike zone. What are you going to remember most about this past season? Mostly my coaches giving me the opportunity to play at a higher level than most players my age. I played varsity as a sophomore. What did you like most about attending Central? I liked the atmosphere there. I liked the teachers and coaches a lot. I always went to Friday night [baseball] games when I was little and looked up to those guys. To get the opportunity to play under those lights was really cool. What are your goals for this upcoming baseball season? Mainly be a team player. I James Sanchez/22nd Century Media can’t look at what my average would be and stuff like that. I would rather be a team type of player. What’s your favorite memory on the baseball diamond? It was during a game against Lincoln Way-West last season. It was a big rivalry game, and a lot of weight was on my shoulders because I’m going to be going there next year. The score was tied 0-0 in the fifth inning, and I drove in a run. Also during the game I made three diving catches. We won the game 1-0. One of the West coaches told me I single-handedly beat them that game, so that was really cool. Interview by Editorial Intern Michael Ivey. Going Places Hopper headed to Millikin Michael Ivey, Editorial Intern For the past two years, Isaac Hopper was a regular in net for the Lincoln-Way Central boys soccer team. This fall, the goalkeeper will make the short trip to Decatur, Illinois, to begin his collegiate athletic career at Millikin University. “I’m really excited,” Isaac said. “It has always been a goal of mine to play college soccer, and I’ve been really fortunate and excited to carry on with it.” Hopper first considered Millikin when his high school coach, Sean Fahey, recommended going on a visit there. “When I began the college process, I was looking at liberal arts schools and my high school coach, Coach Fahey, talked [Millikin] up,” Hopper said. “So when I started visiting schools, it was one of the first places I visited, and I absolutely loved the campus and got a scholarship there. It all just worked out together.” Hopper started playing soccer as a child when his dad introduced the sport to him. “My dad had been coaching and playing when I was really young,” Hopper said. “I had always been around the game and loved it. I definitely started playing because of him.” Hopper’s father, Colin, said he enjoyed watching his son play for Lincoln Way- Central and Fahey. “It was a great deal of fun to watch him,” Colin said. “I was able to help out coaching him a little bit. I have nothing but good things to say about Coach Fahey and the staff at Lincoln Way-Central. From the day he started his first camp, the coaches were very professional and motivated, and gave Isaac a wonderful experience. To see him Isaac Hopper defends the goal for Lincoln-Way Central during a fall 2015 game. 22nd Century Media File Photo develop as both a player and a man was quite thrilling, and I’m looking forward to watching him continue his career at Millikin.” Colin is a history teacher at Lincoln Way-Central and was a goalie coach at Lincoln Way-East for 10 years. He said he believes one of the most important skills a goalie needs is leadership, and he said his son grew as a leader while playing as a goalie for Lincoln Way-Central. “As a goalkeeper, you need some height, quick reflexes, and you need to develop into a leader because you’re the only one who can see the whole field,” Colin said. “You have to command from the back and tell your defense what to do. It took him a while to grow into all of those, but eventually, he used his maturity to end up being a leader on his team. He was one of only two seniors on the team. It really fell upon him to take a leadership role. I think the experiences he had as an underclassmen really helped him with that.” Hopper said he loves playing goalie because of the responsibility that comes with the position. “As a goalie, I love the pressure that’s involved,” he said. “I love being someone that my team can count on, and I love the fact the sport isn’t easy. Both of those things just make it a lot of fun.” Hopper said he will always have fond memories of being a student at Lincoln Way- Central due in part to the students and faculty. “Both the teachers and coaches are just amazing,” Hopper said. “They care about the students so much. Also, the Knight pride the school had — there’s a really awesome atmosphere at Lincoln Way-Central that I’m definitely going to miss.”
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