Athlete of the Week: Nick Aukerman, Fairmont High School

Grade: 12

Age: 18

Sport: Swimming

Claim to fame/honors: Two-time state qualifier has committed to University of Cincinnati

Bet you didn’t know … my middle name is Romeo

Words you live by: “If ya ain’t first, yer last” — Ricky Bobby

Toughest opponent: The clock

Biggest influence: My KEY Swimming club coach Eric Wentzel for keeping me motivated and helping me to become the athlete and person I am today.

Match-day rituals: Getting Tropical Smoothie on the way to the meet

What’s on your bedroom walls? Blue paint

When I’m bored I like to … play Xbox or go out with my friends

Favorite movie: Monty Python & The Holy Grail

Person who would play you in a movie: Will Ferrell

Favorite TV show: Futurama

Favorite musical artists: Logic, Lil Yachty

I can’t live without: Aerobic respiration

I can live without: English class

Event you’d like to attend: My own birth; it’s the most life-changing moment of my entire life

Favorite book: Tale of Two Cities

Favorite home-cooked meal: My grandma’s lasagna

Favorite restaurant: Zombie Dogs

Favorite smell: Cinnamon

Favorite cereal: Golden Grahams

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Any car dealership

Vegetable you won’t eat: Cauliflower

I’d love to trade places for a day with … my coach so I could be the one making him do a hard practice

Whose mind would you like to read? My competitors

Place where you’d love to travel? Rome

Talent you’d like to have? Being coordinated outside of the water

Favorite school subject: Physics

Favorite athlete: Michael Phelps

Favorite team: Cincinnati Bengals

Favorite Olympic sport: Swimming

Something in the world I’d like to change: The pronunciation of the word “cyan” to be (Ki-ehn)

Favorite sports moment: 2008 Olympics men’s 400 freestyle relay

Favorite junk food: Sour Patch Watermelons

Best thing about swimming: You don’t feel sweaty afterwards

In 10 years, I hope to be … a successful engineer with a happy family and a Corvette Stingray

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.