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28 | July 12, 2018 | The highland park landmark sports
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time with him or strength, he’s got a great
knowledge of the game and is one of the
more competitive kids there is.”
That served him well playing for Highland
Park, and was named an All-Central
Suburban League North and second team
All-Area player.
“Before sophomore year, I had never
played anything but linebacker,” he said.
“I got called up to play safety, a position
that I had never played before, but playing
both positions allowed me to learn to play
every part of the ball.
“The biggest thing for me to focus on
now will be fundamentals. There were
times in high school where you could focus
on your own thing and it would still
work out. But you can’t do that with the
type of talent there is in college. So every
little thing will be important to get right.”
Brincks came back from tearing his
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ACL to have a successful senior season.
The biggest obstacle, for Brincks, returning
from such a serious injury was more
psychological than physical.
“I tore it during a 7-on-7 and missed five
months, most of the season,” Brincks said.
“The biggest challenge was from a mental
aspect. You’re thinking about, ‘Am I going
to injure my knee again?’ When you cut, or
make a move, it can enter your mind.
“Once you get over that, you think
about it less and you’re able to play the
way you normally play.”
Brincks believes playing at Highland
Park was instrumental in him developing
a strong knowledge and understanding of
the game.
“We’re not going to be the biggest,
fastest, most athletic guys on the field,”
Brincks said. “But our coaches made sure
we knew and understood the game so we
were well prepared to go against bigger
kids. I learned a lot about football from
this coaching staff.”
Congratulations to this week’s
Athlete of the Week.
We’re pleased to be a
sponsor of this program.
Athlete of the Week
10 Questions
with Jonny Lipman
Jonny Lipman is a rising
senior at Highland Park
High School and is a
catcher for the baseball
team and a center on the
football team.
How did you start
playing baseball?
My dad played baseball
when he was growing
up. He’s always loved the
game. I played tee-ball in
Highwood with Mr. Baker.
What’s your favorite
part about the game?
My favorite part about
the game is that it’s a bunch
of individuals battling in a
team sports. You’re competing
nine players against
nine player, but going
against bats. It’s just very
interesting.
What is the most
challenging part about
playing baseball?
The most challenging
thing, in my opinion, is the
focus. It’s 98 percent mental
and 2 percent physical.
If you can stay more focused
than the other team
that leads to a more positive
outcomes.
What’s the hardest
part of being a twosport
athlete?
I think the hardest part
of being a two-sport athlete
is the balance between
the two. You’ll go
from a three-and-a-half
hour football practice to
a double header. You have
to get your body ready to
go, and that is the hardest
part.
Do you have any
superstitions before
games?
Yeah, one thing I do
for both sports is I always
have to do the left before
there right. I always put
on my left sock before my
right sock and in football I
tape my wrists left before
right.
What was it like
having Coach Jason
Newburger as a coach
for both baseball and
football?
It was great. Having him
last year as the offensive
coordinator was great to
get to know him from the
football perspective. And
then in baseball it was enjoyable
to work with him
and to continue that relationship.
Do you have any fun
summer plans?
Honestly, right now, I’m
just hanging out and focusing
on sports. I’m also visiting
a few colleges.
Where is your
favorite place to eat
in Highland Park or
Highwood?
My favorite place is eat
is Real Urban Barbecue. I
go there with my buddies
all the time. They have really
good food and I know
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the owner, he lives down
the street from me.
What is your go-to
pump up song before
games?
It’s different for both
sports. For football we’re
blasting rap or rock in
the locker room but for
baseball it’s about being
focused rather than being
hyped up so we play a lot
of country.
What has been your
favorite memory with
the Giants so far?
My favorite moment
with the Giants so far this
year is being able to step
up on the varsity baseball
team and step up in Jack
Kramer’s shoes after he
got injured. I was able to
step and and continue to do
what he was doing and that
was wonderful. I learned a
lot from him. He’s a great
guy and phenomenal baseball
player.
Interview by Sports Editor
Brittany Kapa