Athlete of the Week: Ben Schmiesing, Piqua High School

Ben Schmiesing

Ben Schmiesing

Name: Ben Schmiesing

School: Piqua

Grade: Senior

Age: 17

Sports: Football, basketball

Claim to fame/honors: Named first-team All-Ohio and All-Greater Western Ohio Conference at linebacker; carries 4.77 grade-point average; member of National Honor Society; preferred walk-on with Ohio State football team and plans to major in business

Bet you didn’t know … I know how to juggle

Words you live by: Leadership and determination

Toughest opponent: Trotwood in football

Biggest influence: My older brother, Jack; he’s always been the standard to push myself to

Game-day rituals: I always go to Subway or Hothead; I take at least one lap around the field during warmups

What’s on your bedroom walls? My sports trophies and plaques; Ohio State football poster

When I’m bored I like to … during season I watch film; otherwise hang out with my friends or play video games

Favorite movie: Grown Ups

Person who would play you in a movie: John Cena

Favorite TV show: Impractical Jokers

Favorite musical artist: Drake

I can’t live without: My phone

Event you’d like to attend: Super Bowl

Favorite book: The Maze Runner

Favorite home-cooked meal: Chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes

Favorite restaurant: Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

Favorite smell: Kitchen during Thanksgiving

Favorite cereal: Frosted Flakes

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Vegetable you won’t eat: Cauliflower

I’d love to trade places for a day with … an NFL athlete

Whose mind would you like to read? Donald Trump

Place where you’d love to travel? Coast of Italy

Talent you’d like to have? Able to do one-armed pushup

Favorite school subject: Math

Favorite athlete: Ray Lewis

Favorite team: The Buckeyes

Favorite Olympic sport: Basketball

Something in the world I’d like to change: All the negativity

Favorite sports moment: Beating Trotwood on their home field my sophomore year

Favorite junk food: Skittles

Best thing about football: You can hit people without getting into trouble; you create a bond with your friends you wouldn’t be able to create without playing with them.

In 10 years, I hope to … have a steady job with a good income and settling down

Nominate an Athlete of the Week: Send an email to freelance writer Dave Lamb at d_lamb@msn.com. Please include the athlete's name, school, sport and a phone number or email address where we can reach that athlete. Please include Athlete of the Week in the subject line.

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