FEATURED ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Johnathan Thibodeau, South Putnam

Friday, January 20, 2017
Johnathan Thibodeau
Banner Graphic/Joey Bennett

Johnathan Thibodeau is a senior at South Putnam who participates in football and track and field. He is also active in several other activities including the Boy Scouts, with whom he has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Banner Graphic: What positions do you play in your sports?

Johnathan Thibodeau: “I played defensive back and receiver in football and run the 100, 200, 400 and the 4x100 relay in track.”

BG: What do you like about each sport?

JT: “Football is probably my favorite sport; I really like the competitiveness and the accountability that it requires. I have learned a lot from my coaching staff, such as how to be a leader. In track, I have a lot of the same coaches and I just try to do the same things — be a leader and help the team however I can.”

BG: What was your high school sports highlight?

JT: “In my freshman year we won the football sectional title. This year didn’t go as well as we wanted, but the guys kept working their butts off and it was fun.”

BG: Are you going to miss South Putnam?

JT: “I’ve enjoyed all four years here at South, and I couldn’t imagine going to any other school. All my teachers and coaches have prepared me to go on to college. My parents both graduated from here. Coach [Nathan] Aker has been a mentor to me since my freshman year, and he’s been my track and football coach.”

BG: What kinds of non-sports things do you like to do?

JT: “I became an Eagle Scout in August. I worked on a community service project at a camp in Greencastle. We tore down a big building and put in a basketball court for the kids. It was a lot of work, but we had a backhoe. It took over 800 hours, but it was worth it. I love to watch football also.”

BG: Have you been concerned about the concussion problems in football during your career?

JT: “Our coaches have done a great job of teaching us how to hit properly to mitigate concussions through ‘Heads Up Football’.”

BG: Anything else non-sports related?

JT: “I am a big fan of the ‘Walking Dead’ and ‘Prison Break’. My favorite singer is Kanye West.”

BG: What is something you’ve never done that you would like to do?

JT: “I want to travel the world someday.”

BG: What are your future plans?

JT: “I’m looking at going to Ball State, DePauw or Wabash right now. I’ve talked to the coaches at DePauw and Wabash about playing. I want to study sports broadcasting or sports journalism.”

BG: Maybe you could cover the Olympics.

JT: “That would be cool.”

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