Athlete of the Week: Sammy Shockey, Twin Valley South High School

Grade: Senior

Age: 19

Sports: Track, football

Claim to fame/honors: Junior season in track was state qualifier in 4x800 relay, county champion in four events (4x800, 400, 200 and 4x400), regional champ in 4x800, most valuable runner on team; all-county and all-league in football the past three years as running back and linebacker; member of student council all four years; will run at Ashland University and major in education.

Bet you didn’t know … I could solve a Rubik’s cube

Words you live by: To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift

Toughest opponent: Myself because I’m hard on myself

Biggest influence: My father; he always inspired me to be the best person I could possibly be

Meet-day rituals: I always eat oatmeal for breakfast; I like to relax all day long and listen to motivational speakers

What’s on your bedroom walls? Two Steve Prefontaine posters, Mountain Dew sign and 2016 800-meter state final results (so I see where I need to be).

When I’m bored I like to … listen to music

Favorite movie: Without Limits

Person who would play me in a movie: Brad Pitt

Favorite TV show: Impractical Jokers

Favorite musical artist: Garth Brooks

I can’t live without: My family

I can live without: Broccoli

Event you’d like to attend: Olympic Games

Favorite book: The Hunger Games

Favorite home-cooked meal: Pork chops and green beans

Favorite restaurant: Hot Head

Favorite smell: Rain

Favorite cereal: Cap’n Crunch

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Vegetable you won’t eat: Broccoli

I’d love to trade places for a day with … Usain Bolt

Whose mind would you like to read? Steven Hawking

Place where you’d love to travel? Italy

Talent you’d like to have? Singing

Favorite school subject: History

Favorite athlete: Steve Prefontaine

Favorite team: Kentucky Wildcats

Favorite Olympic sport: Track

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

Favorite sports moment: Winning regional championships last year

Favorite junk food: Oatmeal cream pies

Best thing about track: The thrill you get at the finish line

In 10 years, I hope to be … a college professor

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.