Abbotsford student-athlete Blake Bargender is wrapping up his senior year, and the Falcons’ standout is headed to UW-River Falls next season, where he will be playing baseball for the Falcons next season. We take a closer look at Bargender with our world-famous interview, ´Pancakes or Waffles?´ to get a better look at the Falcon standout…
OnFocus: What are your favorite subjects/classes and why?
Bargender: My favorite subject is math because I enjoy problem-solving and like a challenge.
OnFocus: What words of wisdom can you give to other student-athletes?
Bargender: Always work as hard as possible and give maximum effort. It will pay off.
OnFocus: What are your hobbies?
Bargender: My hobbies are sports, swimming, biking, hiking, and boating.
OnFocus: Who is/was your first favorite teacher and why?
Bargender: My first favorite teacher was my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Salisbury, because when I first moved to Abbotsford, she was very welcoming and made learning fun for me.
OnFocus: What is the most unusual food you have eaten?
Bargender: Calamari
OnFocus: What is your favorite music to listen to?
Bargender: Country
OnFocus: What are your plans after high school?
Bargender: I plan on continuing my education and playing baseball at University of Wisconsin – River Falls. I am majoring in engineering technology.
OnFocus: If they made a movie about you, and your life, what would it be called?
Bargender: ´Baseball is Life´
OnFocus: What sports do you play?
Bargender: Baseball and Basketball
OnFocus: Which teammate would you not want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
Bargender: Nano Lopez because he isn’t a good swimmer, so if we would have to swim at all or take a homemade boat off the island, I don’t know if he would make it in case of emergency, and we would have to take extra precautions to make sure he doesn’t drown.
OnFocus: What are some memorable moments you have had as an athlete?
Bargender: Winning Conference every year since I was a freshman in baseball, starting as a freshman in baseball, playing baseball in Tennessee this spring, playing in tournaments all summer and fall, committing to UW-River Falls to play baseball last fall, and winning small town state in 12u.
OnFocus: Who are your favorite athletes and/or teams?
Bargender: My favorite team is the Milwaukee Brewers and my favorite athlete is William Contreras.
OnFocus: What do you enjoy most about competing in front of family, friends and fans?
Bargender: I enjoy how supportive my family, friends, and fan base of the team are. My family comes to every single game and travel many miles to be there. Along with that, many other fans will show up to almost every game and even be there for the far away games. This support plays a huge role in our success as a team and I really appreciate it.
OnFocus: Do you have a funny or unusual moment(s) you have experienced in sports?
Bargender: I was pitching a bullpen to our freshman catcher the first week of practice this year and on the first pitch he completely missed it and took a fastball right to the facemask.
OnFocus: What’s the best thing about being a student-athlete at Abbotsford?
Bargender: The best thing about being a student-athlete at Abbotsford is seeing how hard everyone else on my teams work on the field, court, and in school.
OnFocus: What words of wisdom can you give to other student-athletes?
Bargender: Always work as hard as possible and give maximum effort. It will pay off.
OnFocus: Lastly, pancakes or waffles?
Bargender: Waffles
************************************
2023 OnFocus Central Wisconsin Football Conference Standings: Links to Area Conferences
Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
Nominate an athlete or team: HERE
**********************************************
Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach, or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
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]
