Featured Senior Athlete: Hayden Switzer, South Putnam

Hayden Switzer is a senior at South Putnam High School, where he has particpated in football, wrestling and baseball.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Hayden Switzer: “I wouldn’t say sports are the most important thing in my life but they keep me on the right side of things. I’ve learned a lot from sports about responsibility and how to better myself. I wouldn’t know what to do without sports and I’ve been lucky to have great coaches in all my sports.”

BG: Talk about each of your sports.

HS: “Growing up, I wanted to play college baseball, so I focused on that while also playing football for fun. Eventually, I fell in love with working out and there was something about football that grew on me. I am a receiver and defensive back in football. I started out playing shortstop in high school but coach said I was pretty fast and moved me to centerfield. I enjoy playing a lot and making diving catches.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

HS: “Freshman year, against Indianapolis Lutheran in our scrimmage, it was almost over when I caught a ball, made a move upfield and three huge dudes crunched me. I remember sitting on the sidelines with everyone watching me as they cut my jersey off because I couldn’t feel my shoulder and that was embarrassing to me.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college or pro sports teams you follow?

HS: “No, but I did throw up before every single football game.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college or pro sports teams you follow?

HS: “I like Purdue Football and in baseball, have you ever seen Ole Miss play? They are impressive to watch and have so much love for the game. Among pro teams, I watch the St. Louis Cardinals.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

HS: “I like to be involved with our youth programs, working out with the little kids and teaching them correct form so they don’t hurt themselves. I wish I had that as a kid so I could get a quicker jump on things. I enjoy giving back to the community and to see a kid’s face light up when they get something is awesome to me.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

HS: “I like to spend time with family. My mom comes up every other weekend and we go to do something enjoyable. I like to hang out with friends. I’m not a fascinating person. I go to school, work out and that’s about it.”

BG: What are your favorites in movies, TV and music?

HS: “‘Pulp Fiction’ is one of the best put together movies I’ve ever watched. I’ve watched ‘Last Chance U’ over and over again. As far as music, I have a fair share of ’70s and rap. I mainly play rap and R&B on a daily basis but sometimes, while cruising, I like to play a little jazz.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

HS: “I’d like to travel across the country a lot more and see different cultures. I’d love to do that.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

HS: “The only thing I fear is God. I put all my faith in him and by doing that, there’s no point in being scared of something.”

BG: What are your favorite and least favorite foods?

HS: “My favorite food is Chinese food. I could eat chicken fried shrimp rice all day. My least favorite is cottage cheese. I despise it. It’s mostly a texture thing.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

HS: “I have two labs, Rose and Nation, three cats and some chickens.”

BG: If your house were on fire, and all living things were already out, what is one thing you would go back and get?

HS: “I would definitely try to save my dad’s gun safe. There’s a lot of items in there that have been handed down generation to generation and there’s a lot of sentimental value in them. Also, guns and fire don’t mix well.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

HS: “Dedicated. Once I get going on something, I’m going to get it done and do it to the best that I can. I always like the saying that there’s a difference between motivation and dedication.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

HS: “I love going to Florida but it’s more sentimental when we go to Louisiana because we have a lot of family down there.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

HS: “It’s important to have someone in your corner. My family has been super supportive of me in everything I do. If I say I want to do something, they’ll say they support me through it. A lot of my classmates have also been supportive and that’s huge in keeping me going and being more motivated.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience, both academically and athletically.

HS: “South Putnam has been such an amazing school. Everyone there truly wants the best for you. I moved here from Danville and was never a part of the school there but once I came here the community has embraced me and teachers have wanted me to succeed. I love SP and wouldn’t trade it for the world, even if the teachers have a love-hate relationship with me as academics has not come as easy as athletics.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

HS: “My goal is to be an aerospace engineer, which is what I’ll be studying at Hanover College. My overall, farfetched, goal is to play pro football somewhere but I like having plans behind me and being an engineer is plan B.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

HS: “Yes and no. As an athlete, you should be able to maintain a schedule. You may have friends who want to go out and do something but at the same time if you have work in a class you’re not doing well in, you gotta do it. It’s about dedication.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

HS: “Mrs. Dixon and my pre-calc class. She’s an awesome person who I wouldn’t trade for the world. She pushes me even though I’m a pain in the butt. I’ve learned so much of the class because of her and she’s always passionate about her students. All the teachers at South Putnam are awesome like that.”

BG: After college, do you have plans to live somewhere in the mountains or on the beach, or do you want to live around here?

HS: “I think I would be a solid Oregon person because I could be in the mountains and the beach in the same day. I think being in the mountains is cool. I visited Tennessee once and it was one of the more fun times I’ve ever had.”

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

HS: “Oh year, high school has gone by in the blink of an eye. I can’t believe I’m about to graduate. I think I’ll miss school but I’m definitely ready for another chapter in my life.”