PREPNET / SPEAK OUT

Which professional athlete has inspired you the most and how?

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KEN KIDWELL

Loara, Football

Steve Young. He has the same religion as me [Mormon], and I heard him speak before and he is pretty inspirational. Young also has had a lot of concussions but he still goes all out when he plays.

JOSHUA SHERMAN

Calvary Chapel, Basketball

Dennis Rodman for his basketball game only. He’s aggressive with rebounds. For outside the game, A.C. Green. He has a good Christian walk, and the way he shows it . . . he doesn’t try to hide what he believes in.

DANNY PIERRO

El Dorado, Football

I would say Zach Thomas, middle linebacker for the Dolphins. I think he is 5-10 or 5-11, but he plays like a 6-4 guy. He is one of the shortest linebackers in the pros and he proves that height doesn’t matter.

KYLE EGKAN

Villa Park, Basketball

Vlade Divac because of his inside playing abilities and his hook shot. He’s a first-class man on and off the court and a great role model to the other players.

MICHAEL P. RUBINSTEIN

Fountain Valley, Team Physician

For me it really was a coach, Vince Lombardi. I think it was his drive for excellence and his dedication to his desire. I continue to use one of his quotes, “Pride is refusing to settle for anything less than the best that is in you.”

J.T. CAMERON

Fairmont, Athletic Director

Michael Cooper from the Lakers. I was at a Jim Harrick summer camp and I was able to listen to him speak and put on a display of defensive drills. He talked about his knee injury and how he overcame it and made himself a defensive player. It was there I committed to work hard and learn about basketball.

MATT CRIPPEN

Garden Grove, Football

I’d probably say Joel Makovicka [of the Arizona Cardinals] because he’s not the biggest guy, he’s not the fastest or the strongest, but that guy goes [all-out] on every play.

SANJAY SHAH

Fountain Valley, Basketball

Even though he may not be the greatest player, Jack Haley has inspired me the most. Going to his camps ever since I was 10, he showed me that with hard work and realistic goals, you can accomplish anything.

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