FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Ethan Harcourt, South Putnam

Ethan is a senior at South Putnam and participates in four sports, football, wrestling, baseball and golf.

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

Ethan Harcourt: “I absolutely love sports. The biggest thing I’ve learned is dedication and what they can teach you in life. If you show dedication to your work and show you’re committed, great things will happen to you and your life will show what you put in to it.”

BG: Talk about you sports.

EH: “Football is my favorite sport. I’ve always loved football since I was a kid. I started at a young age and my dad coached me. Once he brought me into it, I’ve always enjoyed going out there with my teammates and hitting people. I wrestled when I was in elementary school. As a kid, I always thought wrestling was kinda weird but as I got into it, I saw how it relates to life. The dedication you have and all the work you put in shows who you are and what type of person you are. I started playing baseball as a kid, something my dad talked me into, and I’ve played since I was in elementary school. I did track last year and enjoyed it while I was there. I met knew people and enjoyed everything for the most part.”

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

EH: “Going into my sophomore year, it was my birthday and we were playing Cloverdale. It was just about halftime, we were up 56-0 and I was the kicker that year. For whatever reason, an onside kick was called and I onside kicked the ball when we were up 56 points. That’s probably the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to me.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

EH: “Generally, I wake up, put on the same pair of underwear, which are American Eagle American flag, and an American flag T-shirt. That’s what I like to do.”

BG: When did you know you could swim at the high school level and what has been like being a four-year athlete in a sport that requires you to practice and participate at another school?

EH: “The experience and the feeling. Being a No. 4 seed, I was extremely nervous going into face a No. 1 seed from the Mooresville Sectional. Coming back for my senior year, placing second at Avon, it has definitely encouraged me to go all out. It might be the last time I step on the mat, so going out there and giving it my all is definitely what I’m going to do. Something I’ve always wanted to do is to advance to the semistate.”

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

EH: “As a kid, I always loved Peyton Manning. I followed him from the Colts to the Broncos and it was sad to see him retire. He was my favorite professional athlete to watch. As far as college teams, I’ve always loved Purdue. Purdue is the place I’ve always wanted to go since I was a kid. Entertaining football, Wabash, DePauw and Franklin are all places that might have roster spots where I could play football.”

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

EH: “Aside from sports, I’m in 4-H. I’ll be a 10-year member this year, having been 10 years in the beef and goat barns and seven years in the hog barn. It’s something I love to do.” BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

EH: “I like to go home, play video games and hang out with my dog. I love to be around my family and love to play golf.”

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

EH: “Sometimes, after a long practice, I’ll go home, turn on a movie or music and just relax. I love the ‘Rocky’ movies and that relates to wrestling and everything he is dedicated toward.”

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

EH: “I’d watch YouTube or Netflix and scroll TikTok for a bit. If I was bored, I’d play some sort of game with the family or figure out something to do.”

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

EH: “Something I’ve always had in the back of my mind is going across the country and seeing all 50 states, figuring out something to do in each of those states and seeing what other parts of the country has to offer.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

EH: “A big snake. Cobras and whatnot. As a kid, I thought I loved them but as I’ve gotten older, I want nothing to do with them.”

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

EH: “I’m making good ol’ fashioned American cheeseburgers.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

EH: “I have a German shepherd, Wolf, and a cat, Callie.”

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?

EH: “I’m going home and grabbing my pillow. I’m not leaving the house without it.”

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

EH: “Outgoing. I always like to try and help people out. I like to be out doing things and get out of my bubble to help people out.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

EH: “Mexico, such as Cozumel, or the Bahamas. I love the ocean, the sand and being away from home.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

EH: “In middle school, we always went to the Indians game as I love sports in general, I always loved going out there. It thrilled me and we got out of school for the day.”

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

EH: “It’s extremely important. Even in middle school, my family was always out there to support me. My dad, starting as a young kid, was always there for all three sports I played, whether it was soccer, baseball basketball, football or whatever else, he was there for every game along with my mom and their support was amazing. Seeing my classmates in the cheer block and at the games, they brought the hype and kept me going. Seeing them at a big Friday night game or after a big county or conference win was always a great feeling, knowing they had my back.”

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

EH: “My overall school experience, I would say I’ve been pretty fortunate. I’ve put in the work to maintain a 4.0 GPA academically. Athletically, I’ve been extremely lucky to stay healthy most of my four years and be able have chances to be all-county, all-conference and being named to the WVFCA All-Star Game, which is my biggest accomplishment of my senior year so far.”

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

EH: “Going back to sports, I’d love to learn the history of old sports. I’d like to learn about the people that broke records that you don’t hear about very often.”

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

EH: “My plans are to play football at either Wabash, DePauw or Franklin. The career I’d head toward is either engineering or business management, looking at either being a land surveyor or being part of an insurance company.”

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

EH: “Not really. Don’t get me wrong; some days are harder than others but if you focus, set your times well and stay up on your work, it’s manageable. Time management has helped me with being a student and an athlete.”

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

EH: “I want to shout out Mrs. Hodge. Growing up with her and her helping me in biology classes has been great. I also want to shout out Mrs. Dixon. We’ve had our struggles in the past but her continually helping me in my math classes has helped me the most.”

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live somewhere more remote, such as in the mountains or the countryside, somewhere more flashy like down on the beach or in the big city or in the neighborhood?

EH: “I’d probably want to live in the mountains. I want to be far away from people but close enough to still see people if I have to.”

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

EH: “Yes. High school has gone way faster than I thought. My role models, including Parker Hacker, always said it’s going to go fast. I never believed the upperclassmen but they were right. I’m here now and never would have thought it would have gone by this fast. I am definitely going to miss it and all the good times I’ve had with friends, family and sports.”