Local Athlete/Coaches Q&As: April 11, 2020
During this time of uncertainty, one thing I am certain about is that we have terrific student athletes and coaches in this area.
Over the next few weeks or months, I’m going to spotlight as many of them as I can through online Q&A’s. Any high school or middle school student athlete or coach in Brunswick, New Hanover or Pender counties interested in participating should email me at tim@coastalpreps.com.
Today’s participants are: Wilmington Christian Academy senior Zane Bloom, North Brunswick junior Kalee Wiltshire, Ashley sophomore William Marhold and Hoggard boys and girls swimming and diving coach Tammy Pruden.
Zane Bloom
Senior at Wilmington Christian Academy
What sport(s) do you participate in at your school? Baseball and soccer
If you have committed or signed with a college, where will you be continuing your career and why did you choose that school? I’m going to attempt to walk on to the baseball team at Liberty University. Liberty is an amazing Christian university that’s very modern, has a great sports atmosphere, suits my living style very well and their purpose is to cultivate lives in service of Jesus Christ, which is very important to me.
What is your favorite food? Yukon Gold potatoes
What is your favorite restaurant? Buffalo Wild Wings
What is your favorite movie? Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
What is your favorite TV show? Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Who are your favorite teams (college or professional)? University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Milwaukee Bucks
Who is your favorite athlete? Andrew McCutchen
What is your favorite memory from your career? Being a part of the first state championship team in 35 years at WCA was special. My favorite memory is definitely hitting the go-ahead ground rule double in the top of the seventh inning in the state championship game in 2019 that propelled us to winning it all. I’m a pretty stoic person, but the picture of me standing on second base after the play showed me completely fired up.
Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals? When I get to my spot at shortstop I make two swipes with my feet in the dirt, do two high knee jumps and then draw a cross in the dirt to remind me who I play for. My dad and I also have a baseball superstition that if you walk the leadoff hitter, your team is doomed for the rest of the game. It never fails.
What hobbies do you have outside of participating in sports? I love playing and writing music. I’ve played trumpet for seven years and recently started writing music in preparation for my intended major in college. When I’m not playing organized sports, I’m usually playing pickup something or another or just grinding by myself when I find the time.
What app on your phone do you use the most? Pre-quarantine, probably Instagram. Ever since? Clash of Clans.
What is your dream job? Composing the musical score to the next Star Wars movie. Love the franchise, love the music and with John Williams retiring from Star Wars, someone needs to step in who loves the franchise as much as he does.
What is your favorite milkshake flavor from Cook Out? Mint Chocolate Chip
On a scale of 1-10 how much do you miss going to school? 9
On a scale of 1-10, how good of a singer are you? 6
If you could have dinner with any 3 people (dead or alive), who would they be? Andrew McCutchen, John Williams and King Solomon from the Bible
How are you passing the time during this time of social distancing? I’m usually done with schooling around noon, so I’ve got plenty of time on my hands. After I finish my schoolwork, I go to my old Little League baseball fields in Leland by myself and hit off the tee. I’m there to get better, but I’m also there to reminisce and remember all the memories I’ve had playing baseball. With my senior season likely being cancelled, I’m trying to savor every memory I can. If it rains, I pretty much sit around texting group chats, playing clash or reading my Bible.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Denver, Colorado and preferably with my class
If you could only listen to one song the rest of your life, what would it be? Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns
Which local restaurant has the best burgers? Bloom Family Diner aka my mom’s kitchen
What is your favorite Disney movie? I hate Disney movies
Kalee Wiltshire
Junior at North Brunswick
What sport(s) do you participate in at your school? Soccer
If you have committed or signed with a college, where will you be continuing your career and why did you choose that school? I committed to Lees-McRae College because of the location, coaches, academics and atmosphere.
What is your favorite food? Pasta
What is your favorite TV show? One Tree Hill
Who are your favorite teams (college or professional)? U.S. women’s national team
Who is your favorite athlete? Julie Ertz
What is your favorite memory from your career? Making the 3A playoffs last season for the first time in school history.
What app on your phone do you use the most? TikTok
What is your dream job? Physical therapist or sports psychologist
What is your favorite milkshake flavor from Cook Out? Oreo
On a scale of 1-10 how much do you miss going to school? 9
How are you passing the time during this time of social distancing? A lot of family time, online school and soccer training
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Anywhere with mountains.
Which local restaurant has the best burgers? PT’s Grille
What is your favorite Disney movie? The Princess and the Frog
William Marhold
Sophomore at Ashley
What sport(s) do you participate in at your school? Cross country and track & field
What is your favorite food? Any cereal that is gluten free
What is your favorite restaurant? Flaming Amy’s
What is your favorite movie? Big
What is your favorite TV show? The Office
Who are your favorite teams (college or professional)? N.C. State and Texas
Who is your favorite athlete? Galen Rupp, Sam Parsons, Odell Beckham Jr., Evan Jager, Kyrie Irving and Craig Engels.
What is your favorite memory from your career? Completing hard miles/workouts with my team where we just go to work and get tough.
Do you have any superstitions or pre-race rituals? Wear the same brand of racing spikes. Also just drinking a lot of water.
What hobbies do you have outside of participating in sports? Playing basketball outside and hanging out with friends.
What app on your phone do you use the most? Strava (running app) and Instagram
What is your dream job? Pro runner. Engineer would also be amazing.
What is your favorite milkshake flavor from Cook Out? Never been to Cook Out.
On a scale of 1-10 how much do you miss going to school? 8
If you could have dinner with any 3 people (dead or alive), who would they be? Donald Trump, Steve Prefontaine and Galen Rupp
How are you passing the time during this time of social distancing? Running by myself and with friends, hanging out with my family and watching YouTube.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? In America, either Austin, Texas to see family or Boulder, Colorado. In the world, Kenya.
If you could only listen to one song the rest of your life, what would it be? I’m not a huge music guy but probably The Passion from Jaden Smith.
Which local restaurant has the best burgers? My mom’s kitchen
What is your favorite Disney movie? Toy Story
Tammy Pruden
Hoggard boys and girls swimming and diving coach
What is your favorite food? Mexican
What is your favorite restaurant? Plaza Mariachi
What is your favorite movie? The Princess Bride
What is your favorite TV show? Friends
Who are your favorite teams (college or professional)? N.C. State, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, Washington Redskins and anything Team USA
Who is your favorite athlete? Tim Tebow
What app on your phone do you use the most? Facebook
What is your favorite milkshake flavor from Cook Out? Peanut Butter Fudge
On a scale of 1-10, how good of a singer are you? 4
If you could have dinner with any 3 people (dead or alive), who would they be? Tom Pruden (My dad, who passed away in 1998 of lung cancer), Jesus Christ and Mother Teresa
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Indonesia
If you could only listen to one song the rest of your life, what would it be? 10,000 Hours by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber
Which local restaurant has the best burgers? Winnie’s Tavern
What is your favorite Disney movie? Aladdin
What is a skill you are bad at that you wish you could master? Painting
What was the first car you owned? Chevrolet Corsica
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Not advice, but my dad used to say (or ask me) “penny for your thoughts.” I believe it has influenced me to always ask others how they are or what is on their mind.
