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MIKE SANTILLO
Team: Mohawk Mohicans
Sport: Basketball
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 17
Year in school: Senior
FAVORITES
Sport to play: Basketball
Sport to watch: College Basketball
Athlete: Kevin Durant
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Subject in school: Science
Movie: Step Brothers
TV show: Sports Center
Actor: Will Ferrell
Song: ‘Thrift Shop’ by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Musician: Drake
Food: Pizza
Explain what you enjoy most about your sport and athletics.
I like the adrenaline rush when you step on the field or court. The competitive environment and the love of the game. Knowing you can make a difference to help your team succeed. Most importantly: winning.
What is your most memorable athletic moment?
Icing the end of the Sectional game from the free throw line against Little Falls on our home floor, in front of the biggest crowd we have had at any game.
Tell us about someone who inspires you in sports and why.
Kevin Durant has always been an inspiration to me and my game. He was never expected to have as successful an NBA career as he is having. Entering the draft, he had the lowest recorded bench press in NBA history. As a result, many critics believed he was too weak to be an impact player or to even play in the league at all. Like Durant, I have been the source of criticism in every sport, by every coach for being too weak. His performance has fueled my desire to achieve, and the results I have proven in all three sports is evidence that critics aren’t always correct.
What are your greatest challenges balancing academics and sports?
Life is all about balance. I pride myself in being a scholar athlete with scholastics coming first. I have had to make choices my entire athletic career that have impacted both studies as well as athletics. There are times when I know I should be in the gym shooting but realize that if I don’t study for an upcoming test my grades will suffer. It’s all about time management and at my age, you’re bound to get it wrong once or twice.
What are your plans after graduating from high school?
I plan to attend HCCC for two years to begin my studies in Physical Therapy, before transferring to a larger school. My goal is to become a trainer for a Division I sports program.
appeared in December 15, 2012 print edition of The Telegram
MIKE SANTILLO
Team: Mohawk Mohicans
Sport: Basketball
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 17
Year in school: Senior
FAVORITES
Sport to play: Basketball
Sport to watch: College Basketball
Athlete: Kevin Durant
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Subject in school: Science
Movie: Step Brothers
TV show: Sports Center
Actor: Will Ferrell
Song: ‘Thrift Shop’ by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Musician: Drake
Food: Pizza
Explain what you enjoy most about your sport and athletics.
I like the adrenaline rush when you step on the field or court. The competitive environment and the love of the game. Knowing you can make a difference to help your team succeed. Most importantly: winning.
What is your most memorable athletic moment?
Icing the end of the Sectional game from the free throw line against Little Falls on our home floor, in front of the biggest crowd we have had at any game.
Tell us about someone who inspires you in sports and why.
Kevin Durant has always been an inspiration to me and my game. He was never expected to have as successful an NBA career as he is having. Entering the draft, he had the lowest recorded bench press in NBA history. As a result, many critics believed he was too weak to be an impact player or to even play in the league at all. Like Durant, I have been the source of criticism in every sport, by every coach for being too weak. His performance has fueled my desire to achieve, and the results I have proven in all three sports is evidence that critics aren’t always correct.
What are your greatest challenges balancing academics and sports?
Life is all about balance. I pride myself in being a scholar athlete with scholastics coming first. I have had to make choices my entire athletic career that have impacted both studies as well as athletics. There are times when I know I should be in the gym shooting but realize that if I don’t study for an upcoming test my grades will suffer. It’s all about time management and at my age, you’re bound to get it wrong once or twice.
What are your plans after graduating from high school?
I plan to attend HCCC for two years to begin my studies in Physical Therapy, before transferring to a larger school. My goal is to become a trainer for a Division I sports program.
appeared in December 15, 2012 print edition of The Telegram
