Featured Athlete of the Week: Kaitlin Mindiola, Track North Putnam High School

Kaitlin is a 17-year-old soon-to-be-senior at North Putnam. She was born to Joseph and Cindy and has an older brother named Joe and an older sister named Kirstin.

She is in the Key Club, PSLA, SADD, Student Council and the Spanish Club.

Banner Graphic:What is your favorite sport and why?

Kaitlin Mindiola: Volleyball. My ultimate favorite thing about it is its a team sport. When you get a point and everyone cheers on the team. It's really enthusiastic.

BG: Who has has the most influence on your life?

KM: My dad's always been there. After every match or game he is there to tell me what I did right or wrong. He is just so supportive.Then (volleyball) coach Brandy Dickson. She takes so much time out of her day to work with us. I've been coached by her for three years. She really brought out the talent in all of us.

BG: What was your favorite moment on the team this year?

KM: During track I got back up to 14 feet in the long jump. I tore my PCL in my jumping leg. I was jumping 14 feet when I was a freshman but after that injury I was just getting 13 feet. So to get back to 14 this year felt amazing.

BG: What can sports teach you about life?

KM: They can definitely teach you to be able to deal with different types of people and how they react in different sitiuations. You also have to be dedicated to excell in sports or at anything at all. You have to be dedicated to win.

BG: What are your goals after high school?

KM: I'm going to go to college. I am looking at Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania or the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hopefully I want to do enginering and psycology.

BG: Why are engineering and psychology of interest to you?

KM: I have always liked math. I know that I'm good at it, not to sound cocky. I took classes in high school and really liked it. I enjoy problem solveing. I took psychology this year and I really liked how the mind works with the body.