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Wiatt twins, captains at NP, prepare for big weekend
North Putnam High School seniors Ben and Bethany Wiatt are student-athletes who participate in everything from 4H to volleyball to track.
They aren't just brother and sister, they are twins who have more differences and similarities then you could imagine. Ben, an offensive lineman in football, and Bethany, the libero in volleyball, are both captains on their teams.
They were born on March 12, 1996 to their parents, Darrell and Cindy Wiatt. Ben plays football, wrestles and throws discus; Bethany participates in volleyball, basketball and discus.
Both list hanging out with friends as a hobby but Bethany adds, "playing basketball with my brothers." Bethany says her least favorite subject in school is history and Ben contrasted her and said history is his favorite.
Bethany's favorite food is chicken nuggets and her favorite color is hot pink. Ben's favorite color is navy blue and his favorite food is pizza. Bethany says her favorite teacher is her second grade teacher, Mrs. Peterson and Ben's is high school biology teacher Mr. Ciakowski.
Ben's favorite memory is hanging out with friends and Bethany's is playing travel basketball in elementary school. Both are involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including but not limited to: church, Future Farmers of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, SADD, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Student Council, Key Club, Pep Club, National Technical Honors Society, IHSAA Leadership and 4H.
Bethany: My grandmother Carolyne Fischer.
BG: Which sport do you like the best and why?
Bethany: I love all the sports I play. Whatever sport is in season is always my favorite. So right now volleyball is my favorite because I love the challenge of making the perfect pass, in basketball I like the challenge of getting the ball down the court and scoring points. Track is throwing the disc as far as I can throw it.
BG: What is your training like?
Bethany: In the summer, I go to: basketball and volleyball practices when we have them, weight lifts; (I) run and play some basketball with my brothers.
BG: How have your teammates affected you along your way?
Bethany: My teammates have taught me how to be a good leader and a captain. They are my family and we stick together.
BG: What has been your most memorable part of high school?
Bethany: Playing volleyball and basketball with my best friend LeeAnn Davis.
BG: What are your plans for after high school?
Bethany: I plan to go to college and major in business, hopefully at Indiana State University.
BG: How has the other sibling helped you along the way?
Bethany: Ben has helped me a lot in life. He is one of my biggest fans, he's always there when I need him, tells me what I am doing right and wrong, very protective, and one of my best friends.
Ben: My brothers Darren and Darrick.
BG: Which sport do you like the best and why?
Ben: Football. Every week there is a new game and a new challenge for myself and my team to face as a family.
BG: What is your training like?
Ben: We usually lift at least three times a week with conditioning plus on Saturdays we have 7 on 7. In the winter I usually lift every day and condition every other day with Game Day Fridays in the mornings and conditioning on Tuesday mornings.
BG: How have your teammates affected you along your way?
Ben: They have been very supportive and we've kept each other motivated through the offseason.
BG: What has been your most memorable part of high school?
Ben: Just hanging out and having fun with some of my close friends.
BG: What are your plans for after high school?
Ben: I would like to go to Purdue and study AG economics or go and play football at a DIII college, like Wabash.
BG: How has the other sibling helped you along the way?
Ben: Bethany's helped me in that she's always there for me and that we've always had an unspoken competition between each other that pushes us to succeed.
As they prepare for big games this weekend, Ben with the South Putnam game and Bethany with the Putnam County Tournament, they took the time to speak to the Banner Graphic about their lives as twins, leaders and influences.