Athlete of the week: Michael Von Der Vellen, Alter High School

Name: Michael Von Der Vellen

School: Alter

Grade: Senior

Age: 18

Sports: Volleyball, soccer

Claim to fame/honors: Four-year varsity volleyball and soccer player, captain both sports senior year; two-time state champion in volleyball; setter for volleyball; defender in soccer earned second-team All-GCL junior year and first-team GCL: two-time soccer MVP; first-team All-Miami Valley senior year; will major in engineering at Ohio State.

Bet you didn’t know … I lived in Paris twice

Words you live by: Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is; treat him as he could be and he will become what he should be

Toughest opponent: Centerville for soccer, Moeller for volleyball

Biggest influence: My parents

Match-day rituals: I do my best to stay relaxed and have fun; listen to music with my teammates

What’s on your bedroom walls: My old sports posters and awards; American flag

When I’m bored I like to … hang out with friends

Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption

Person who would play you in a movie: Matt Damon

Favorite TV show: NCIS

Favorite musical artist: FUN.

Favorite book: Harry Potter series

Favorite home-cooked meal: Ribs

Favorite restaurant: Carrabbas

Favorite smell: Homemade cookies

Favorite cereal: Frosted Flakes

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Apple

Vegetable you won’t eat: Cauliflower

I’d love to trade places for a day with … Aaron Rodgers

Whose mind would you like to read? Albert Einstein

Place where you’d love to travel? Europe

Talent you’d like to have? Singing

Favorite school subject: Physics

Favorite athlete: Lionel Messi

Favorite team: Green Bay Packers

Favorite Olympic sport: Ski jump

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

Favorite sports moment: Winning my second state title

Favorite junk food: Reece’s Cup

Best thing about volleyball: Every point is completely different or a new start

In 10 years, I hope to be … a successful engineer who is married

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.

About the Author