We take a closer look at multi-sport athlete and Medford graduate, Charlie Kleist, to tain some insight on what makes Kleist ‘tick’ with our world-famous interview, ‘Pancakes or Waffles?’
OnFocus: What subjects/classes have been your favorite, and why?
Kleist: I’ve always enjoyed math and phy-ed. I like how math is all around us, and is applicable in everyday life. I love to compete in any sport so phy-ed is a no brainer.
OnFocus: What words of wisdom can you give to other student-athletes?
Kleist: The part of the sport that you hate the most or that makes you want to quit. Is the same thing that makes winning that much more enjoyable. Because you know what it took to get to that point.
OnFocus: What are your hobbies?
Kleist: My favorite hobby is golf. Other than that I like to exercise and hang out with my friends.
OnFocus: Who is/was your first favorite teacher and why?
Kleist: My favorite teacher was probably my psychology teacher and football coach Ross Hackbarth. His class was very interesting, there was never a dull moment. He was also just a really cool guy to talk sports with.
OnFocus: What is the most unusual food you have eaten?
Kleist: Rocky Mountain oysters( AKA Testicles)
OnFocus: What is your favorite music to listen to?
Kleist: I’m a pretty big rap guy especially 21 savage
OnFocus: What are your plans after high school?
Kleist: Going to study engineering at UW-Stout and play football there as well.
OnFocus: If they made a movie about you, and your life, what would it be called?
Kleist: I don’t think my life is entertaining enough to make a movie about. But I love the movie Wolf of Wall Street so let’s go with that.
OnFocus: What sports did you play throughout your high school career?
Kleist: I played football and basketball all four years. I was going to play tennis my freshman year until covid hit. Then I was going to play the following year until I had surgery on my wrist. So I eventually gave up on tennis and decided to golf my junior year. Long story short I was terrible and decided to run track my senior year.
OnFocus: Which teammate would you not want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
Kleist: I would have to say Logan Baumgartner. I don’t think that man has very much wilderness exposure. If I needed someone to get a win in Fortnite he’d be the first guy I would call. If I was stranded on an island I would need a guy like Ty Metz on my side. That guy knows how to get stuff done.
OnFocus: What are some memorable moments you have had as an athlete?
Kleist: Becoming back to back to back regional champs in basketball is definitely up there. Also scoring my first touchdown was pretty cool. It may have taken until my senior year but winning my first football playoff game was amazing. Playing in a sectional final in basketball was something I will never forget. Lastly, beating our rival since middle school(Northland Pines) to win the conference was unforgettable.
OnFocus: Who are your favorite athletes and/or teams?
Kleist: My favorite football team is the Cowboys, and my favorite player is Ezekiel Elliot. And I have always loved Steph Curry for some reason.
OnFocus: What do you enjoy most about competing in front of family, friends and fans?
Kleist: The fans cheering for you or heckling you just makes you want to play that much harder and give it 100%.
OnFocus: Do you have a funny or unusual moment(s) you have experienced in sports?
Kleist: Nothing too funny or unusual : )
OnFocus: What’s the best thing about being a student-athlete?
Kleist: You get to hang out with your friends an extra few hours a day.
OnFocus: What words of wisdom can you give to other student-athletes?
Kleist: The part of the sport that you hate the most or that makes you want to quit. Is the same thing that makes winning that much more enjoyable. Because you know what it took to get to that point.
OnFocus: Lastly, pancakes or waffles?
Kleist: Waffles easily. You can fill up each little indent with that much more syrup.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
