MALE
Emilio Quintero Aguirre // Columbus East junior soccer player
Quintero Aguirre scored both of the Olympians’ goals Saturday in a season-opening 2-1 win against Whiteland.
His performance last week: “I was pretty pleased being able to score two goals and help my team win. But more than anything, I want to give credit to my team. Even after being down 1-0, being able to come back is pretty uncommon from us.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “I usually like to wake up early and just mentalize the game with how I want to play and just listen to some music.”
Favorite drink: “Chocolate milk”
Favorite food: “Panda Express orange chicken.”
Favorite class: “Lunch”
Favorite sports team: “The Mexican national team for soccer”
Favorite athlete: “Cristiano Ronaldo”
Role model: “My parents (Rosa Maria and Armando Quintero)”
Best advice: “Just one step at a time.”
Athletics goal: “Being able to play collegiate soccer, whether that’s NAIA, D-III, D-II or D-I. I just want to play and become the best version of myself.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Probably Spain to visit my teammate (from last year), Martin (Simon Rodriguez), and watch Real Madrid or Barcelona.”
FEMALE
Erin Hopkins // Columbus North senior golfer
Erin Hopkins
Hopkins won medalist honors with a 40 against Perry Meridian and a 37 at Jennings County and led the Bull Dogs with a 79 in Saturday’s Franklin Invitational.
Her performance last week: “I definitely tried my hardest and persevered through some tough holes for me. On Saturday, I started off a little rocky and battled through.”
Do you do anything special to prepare? “I really just focus at our team practices and work at every different element of my game. Practicing a bunch of different shots helps.”
Favorite drink: “Sweet tea”
Favorite food: “Pasta”
Favorite class: “AP Government and W131 English”
Favorite sports team: “Dallas Cowboys”
Favorite athlete: “Simone Biles”
Role model: “My dad (Ed). He works so hard for our family, and he sets a great example for us.”
Best advice: “Happiness comes from within, and just take life one day at a time.’’
Athletics goal: “Making it to state is an athletic goal I have.”
If you could travel anywhere: “Italy, because it’s such a cool place with a lot of history and good food.”
