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Featured Athlete of the Week: Ally Nichols, South Putnam
Ally Nichols is a senior at South Putnam who competes in cross country, basketball and track and field.
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Banner Graphic: Is it hard to manage your grades being a three-sport athlete?
Ally Nichols: “I manage my grades pretty well. Having a study hall definitely helps. My practices are pretty convenient since I live relatively close to the school, and I don’t get home too late from school. If I ever can’t finish my work during study hall, I have time at home.”
BG: How did you get into running?
AN: “The first time I considered running was my seventh-grade year. All my friends were running, and I thought I’d try it out. I ran track and I loved it. I did it again my eighth-grade year and I loved it again. In my freshman year, I used to play volleyball but my friends who ran track also ran cross country. I never thought I would have become a cross country runner, but then I decided I would go ahead and do it. I loved it my freshman year, and choosing to run was the best sports decision I’ve made in high school.”
BG: You’ve done well, also, winning the 800 at the sectional last year in track and also doing well in cross country.
AN: “I went to the regional in two relays also. It’s gone pretty well. I started out running the 400 in middle school, and my results were OK. After I started running cross country I started building endurance, but still had that speed. My coach thought that maybe I could do another lap, so I started training at the 800 and I became more successful. The 800 is definitely a difficult event, but I love it.”
BG: You don’t score a lot of points in basketball, but coach Gardner talks a lot about your value to the team defensively. Do you like that role?
AN: “Yes. I know I don’t score a lot of points, but my teammates are there for that. I love the challenge of defending a really good player, and I think my running helps me to have the stamina to keep up with them.”
BG: What are your plans for after high school?
AN: “I will be going to Ball State University. I have talked to their track and field coach, but I haven’t decided if I’m going to try to run in college or not. I am going to major in art education, and I want to be an art teacher.”
BG: How did you decide on art teaching as a career?
AN: “My mom and my sister are great artists, and that definitely has something to do with it. I took art during my freshman year, and I learned some things I didn’t know. That has definitely increased my ability and interest in art. I have gotten to observe art classes at our school, and I’ve also been involved in painting murals at our school. I’m getting ready to start one in the boys’ locker room. That’s kind of cool, leaving my mark as a senior.”
BG: It seems like a lot of art teachers and artists are left-handed, like you. Is there some connection there?
AN: “I’ve actually looked that up on the Internet, because I’ve been curious myself. Left-handed people are often more creative. My mom and my sister are both left-handed, so there’s probably something to that.”
BG: What else do you do at school besides sports?
AN: “I’m involved in student council, Spanish Club, PIE Coalition and yearbook. I go to the other athletic events other than my own, and I’m very involved in school spirit.”
BG: How about non-school activities?
AN: “I participate in 4-H. I show pigs, and I’m also into drawing.”
BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?
AN: “I love traveling, and while I’m traveling someday I’d love to go skydiving. It would get my adrenaline pumping, and I like that. I have had friends who have done it and they really loved it. My adrenaline really gets pumping when I’m running, and I love that.”
BG: What are your favorite and least favorite foods?
AN: “I love watermelon, strawberry yogurt and chicken nuggets. My least favorite foods are any seafood, and anything spicy.”
BG: What is your greatest fear?
AN: “Drowning. That would be awful.”
BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what word would that be?
AN: “Outgoing. I’m never afraid to be the first one to do something; I like to be a leader. I’m always open to have a conversation with everyone.”
BG: Your coaches [Brandon Welti for running sports, Brian Gardner for basketball] are really good. How important have they been in your development?
AN: “I can’t thank my coaches enough for what they’ve done, not only for me but for my teammates. Coach Welti is more of a brother than a coach. He loves his players and cares, and he wants the best for them. The same goes for coach Gardner. They go out of their way to make sure we get the best practices and have the best tools we need to succeed.”
BG: Describe your South Putnam career, and what goals you have for your final few months.
AN: “My high school career has had ups and downs, but I have smiled through it all and made many memories and many friends. I wouldn’t want to go to any other high school than South Putnam. I want to win the regional basketball, and in track I’d like to be the county champion, sectional champion and regional qualifier. I want my relays to be regional qualifiers, and hopefully be sectional champions as well.”
BG: Are you going to miss it here?
AN: “I’m going to miss it, but I’m also ready for the next chapter in my life. When I get out of college, I would love to move out to Colorado. I have a lot of family there, and I love the scenery. I feel I belong somewhere other than Indiana. And the high altitudes are good for running.”