Athlete of the Week: Ben Chico, Centerville High School

Ben Chico

Ben Chico

Name: Ben Chico

School: Centerville

Grade: 2017 graduate

Age: 18

Sport: Volleyball

Claim to fame/honors: Qualified for state tournament three times; honorable mention All-State; outside hitter; performs with Forte acapella group; plans to study nursing at Ohio State

Bet you didn’t know … before I played volleyball I was extremely active in playing music; I’m now playing for a few different groups and play six instruments.

Words I live by: Life is this crazy mystical thing; and sometime you just go out like a buster

Toughest opponent: Cincinnati St. Xavier

Biggest influence: My dad for inspiring me to start volleyball and getting me into a lot of musical and athletic things that I’m part of

What’s on your bedroom walls? Posters from several musicals where I was in the Pit; they’re signed by everyone in the cast

When I’m bored I like to … play video games and listen to music

Favorite movie: Airplane

Person who would play you in a movie: Ryan Reynolds

Favorite TV show: Flights of the Conchords

Favorite musical artist: Noah Gruenberg, Prog

I can’t live without: Music

Event you’d like to attend: Olympic ping pong gold medal match

Favorite book: And Then There Were None

Favorite home-cooked meal: Crepes

Favorite restaurant: My dad’s kitchen

Favorite smell: Butter as it’s cooking

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: GameStop

Vegetable you won’t eat: Snow peas

I’d love to trade places for a day with … Mikey Fried

Whose mind would you like to read? Stephen Hawking

Place where you’d love to travel? New Zealand

Talent you’d like to have? Dancing

Favorite school subject: Philosophy

Favorite athlete: Thomas LaMon (high school teammate)

Favorite team: Cloud9 (an online gaming team)

Favorite Olympic sport: Volleyball

Something in the world I’d like to change: Violence

Favorite sports moment: Landing the winning kill against Alter this year

Favorite junk food: Monster

Best thing about volleyball: Playing with people who are fun to be around

In 10 years, I hope to be … finishing up schooling and having a successful career

Nominate an Athlete of the Week: Send an email to freelance writer Dave Lamb at d_lamb@msn.com. Please include the athlete’s name, school, sport and a phone number or email address where we can reach that athlete. Please include Athlete of the Week in the subject line.

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