FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Dunkin York, South Putnam

Dunkin is a senior at South Putnam and participates in one sport, cross country.

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

Dunkin York: “Running is really important to me because it’s not only a competitive outlook but it’s also an emotional thing, in terms of physical and mental health. Running is a thing to be mindful about other things. Cross country has taught me grit, to push through the long and hard things.”

BG: Talk about cross country.

DY: “It’s a long, grueling sport but if you like to run, it’s a lot of fun. Last year, I made it to semistate, which is the furthest I’ve advanced in the championship meets. My PR was last week at the Brownsburg Sectional in 17:30. I’ve made all-county all four years and All-WIC three times, but not this year.”

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

DY: “I lost a shoe one time in a race really early on.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

DY: “We come to the school. I’ve got some sort of breakfast, like an avocado egg sandwich, get on the bus and have fun and play games on the bus; it’s very social on the bus. Once we get to the race, I get in the right head space for the meet, hang around the tent, relax, but not sleeping, so I’m ready to go, staying loose until the race starts.”

BG: You’ve been a regional qualifier for four years now. How does each differ from the rest?

DY: “I remember them all the same. Freshman year was really special to me but they were all memorable. It’s been the same course and I see a lot of people that I’ve seen at the race before. The times changes each year, knowing where you need to be to advance. Freshman year they were fast, just like this year, but last year, I was able to qualify for semistate, so last year’s times were slower.”

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

DY: “I really do not. I don’t really follow sports.”

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

DY: “I’m in student council, currently working on a county-wide dodgeball tournament, am in NHS and will be involved in Ethics Bowl, which I really enjoy being involved with.

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

DY: “I like to play guitar and have my ham radio license, so I like to talk on the radio.”

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

DY: “I’m definitely a blues-rock guy when it comes to music as well as guys from the heartland, so John Mellencamp and Bruce Springstein are guys I listen to a lot. My all-time favorite movie is, ‘O, Brother, Where Art Thou?’ with George Clooney. I love the humor but it’s also a good story. I like to watch World War II documentaries on TV.”

BG: Are you a person that wants to watch TV shows and movies or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc.?

DY: “TV.I don’t have any social media of any sort.”

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

DY: “I’d like to go hang gliding. The scenery of South America, the classic jungle view, would be great to go over but anywhere is fine.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

DY: “Big waves. If there is any movie that has a tsunami scene, I can’t deal with that.”

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

DY: “Chili. I can’t really cook a lot. Or eggs, but eggs wouldn’t be good for dinner.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

DY: “We have two corgis, Gus and Wallace.”

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

DY: “I guess I’d grab my 50th anniversary edition of Axis and Allies, which is a board game.”

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

DY: “Fun. I like to think that I’m a fun guy.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

DY: “There’s an air force museum in Ohio, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. We used to go there a lot when I was younger.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

DY: “My most memorable school field trip was in kindergarten where we went to the zoo. They had an exhibit where you could pet the sharks and I fell in.”

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

DY: “It’s very important. Without teammates for cross country, I wouldn’t compete nearly to my full ability without them pushing me. My mom pushes me academically to stay responsible. She doesn’t micromanage but she keeps me responsible for my grades.”

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

DY: “I really like it here at South Putnam. It has a lot of AP courses for its size. Even though its small, I felt like I’ve had a good variety of opportunities. Athletically, I don’t feel that I’ve been on a competitive team outside of freshman year swimming. I kind of wish we had more dual meets where we wanted to win them but the atmosphere on the teams has always been good. It’s never been too exclusive and everyone usually has a good time.”

BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

DY: “I think we should have a home ec class again.”

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

DY: “Right now, my plan is to study engineering at an undergraduate level. My ultimate plan is to go from there to study law. If law school doesn’t work out, I can fall back to engineering but I’ll still have a good route to go for law.”

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

DY: “It hasn’t been before but now, being a senior and dealing with college applications, it has become a little difficult.”

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

DY: “Mrs. Dixon, my math teacher, has helped me a lot through school. Math is something I enjoy as a subject and she’s very good at teaching it.”

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?

DY: “I’d like to live around here somewhere. I’d rather live somewhat secluded. I‘ve grown up west of town, where there’s plenty of open space. There’s also less light pollution as I love to see the stars.”

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

DY: “I don’t think it’s gone super fast. I’ll miss having a way to connect with the people I enjoy being around but I won’t miss it too much.”