Peyton Walden
MALE
Peyton Walden // Columbus Christian junior basketball player
Walden led the Crusaders with 23 points and 12 rebounds Saturday in a season-opening 56-42 win against Clinton Christian.
His performance last week: “I’m really proud of myself. I didn’t think I was going to do all that well, considering I sprained my ankle this week. But I’m really proud of us as a team for coming through and getting this first win.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “I mainly just try to get some shots up and try to get my mind into the game and focus on playing hard.”
Favorite drink: “Gatorade”
Favorite food: “Chicken and noodles”
Favorite class: “Physics”
Favorite sports team: “Indiana University and Indiana Pacers”
Favorite athlete: “(Pacers guard) Tyrese Haliburton”
Role model: “My dad (Jonathan Walden).”
Best advice: “Don’t get your head down if you miss a shot. Keep your head up, keep shooting it and it will fall eventually. Just play hard on defense. That’s what’s going to win you the game.”
Athletics goal: “Make it to the NBA.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Jerusalem. I want to see all the things that embrace Christianity over there.”
FEMALE
Saige Stahl // Columbus East senior basketball player
Saige Stahl
Stahl led the Olympians with 21 points and six rebounds in a 58-53 win at Bloomington South, 20 points and five rebounds in a 73-46 loss at Fishers and 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 94-42 loss at Hamilton Southeastern.
Her performance last week: “We’re playing some good competition, so I’m pretty proud of how I played. There were some things that you could do better.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “I always eat Tropical Smoothie and listen to some music, and I always say a prayer before the game.”
Favorite drink: “Sweet tea”
Favorite food: “Steak and mashed potatoes”
Favorite class: “English”
Favorite sports team: “Indiana University men’s basketball”
Favorite athlete: “(former Oregon player) Sedona Prince”
Role model: “My sister Sophia”
Best advice: “Keep working for what you want, and if you work hard enough, you’ll earn it.”
Athletics goal: “Just do the best I can each game and reach different goals in the future.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Paris, to see the Eiffel Tower and try the different foods there.”
