We take a closer look at Stevens Point Panthers multi-sport athlete Cooper Gundersen with our world-famous interview, ´Pancakes or Waffles?´ Learn what makes Gundersen ´tick´ with our well-known feature…
OnFocus: What are your favorite subjects/classes and why?
Gundersen: My favorite classes so far this year are AP Macro Economics because I enjoy studying real-world scenarios, and AP Biology since science and the organisms of the world have always intrigued me.
OnFocus: What are your hobbies?
Gundersen: My favorite hobbies are playing the trombone either messing around soloing in jazz or playing complicated pieces in a band. I also just love to exercise, running is my favorite by far but I really enjoy rock climbing, biking, and swimming.
OnFocus: Who is/was your first favorite teacher and why?
Gundersen: One of my favorite teachers is Mrs.Reid because we really bonded over running and I can talk to her about anything.
OnFocus: What is the most unusual food you have eaten?
Gundersen: The most unusual food I have ever eaten is octopus, it is a little salty and chewy but the taste is pretty good.
OnFocus: What is your favorite music to listen to?
Gundersen: My favorite music to listen to is big band jazz and a wide variety of classical music.
OnFocus: What are your plans after high school?
Gundersen: My plans for after high school are to attend a four-year college, earn a degree in economics, and continue my running career at the collegiate level.
OnFocus: If they made a movie about you, and your life, what would it be called?
Gundersen: If they ever made a movie about me I think it would be called “Hard Work Never Hurt Nobody”
OnFocus: What sports do you play?
Gundersen: I run cross country, swim, and run track.
OnFocus: Which teammate would you not want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
Gundersen: A teammate I could not deal with on a deserted island would be Andrew Dziak, I might feed him to the sharks.
OnFocus: What are some memorable moments you have had as an athlete?
Gundersen: A teammate I could not deal with on a deserted island would be Andrew Dziak, I might feed him to the sharks.
OnFocus: Who are your favorite athletes and/or teams?
Gundersen: My favorite athletes are Joe Klecker, Hicham El Guerrouj, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Joshua Cheptegei, and Bode Erickson.
OnFocus: What do you enjoy most about competing in front of family, friends and fans?
Gundersen: Some memorable moments I have had as an athlete would be breaking 16:30 for the first time, and the Griak meet.
OnFocus: Do you have a funny or unusual moment(s) you have experienced in sports?
Gundersen: The best thing about being a student-athlete at SPASH is that all the teachers are cool with us missing class for meets and they try to help us as much as they can.
OnFocus: What’s the best thing about being a student-athlete at Stevens Point?
Gundersen: I enjoy all the loud cheers and I think I perform much better because of that.
OnFocus: What words of wisdom can you give to other student-athletes?
Gundersen: Some words of wisdom, don’t be afraid of hard work it only makes you better, and never ever give up.
OnFocus: Lastly, pancakes or waffles?
Gundersen: A very tough question but my Dad makes some pretty bomber chocolate waffles, so waffles win but it’s a close race next to chocolate chip pancakes.
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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]
