FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Autumn Wheeler, Cloverdale

Autumn is a senior at Cloverdale and participates in one sport, golf, as well as cheerleading. She is the daughter of Stacey and Mark Wheeler.

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

Autumn Wheeler: “They’re very important, practically part of my family. The girls are practically my sisters. I’ve learned a lot of leadership skills being a cheer captain, as well as from Aliyah Maldonado. She’s such a sweetheart. She welcomed me in my sophomore year and I’ve learned so much caring and kindness from her. I’ve grown in a lot of characteristics thanks to these sports.”

BG: Talk about golf.

AW: “It’s been amazing so far. I was able to shoot in the 40s this season, something I had never done before this year. Sophomore year, when I started, I didn’t do the best, but I’ve gained a lot of momentum thanks to coach Steffy and my parents, who would take me out every day this summer. I chipped, putted and did everything I could to get better this summer.”

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

AW: “When you hit a ball and instead of going forward, the ball goes directly behind you.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

AW: “For golf, getting to the course, chipping and putting with the girls, having a good laugh and then setting out to matches, trying my best, hitting each shot one after the other. Even if I hit a bad shot, I keep going and make sure the next one is good. For cheer, every Friday night, I get to cheer with the girls, cheer our team on to victory and it’s a lot of fun hanging out with them.”

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

AW: “Not really, but I am a fan of Tiger Woods.”

BG: Before you played golf, there were two players on the Clover girls’ golf team to start the 2021 season and though you didn’t play as a freshman, there were building blocks in place for the next couple of years. You’ve been part of a team that finished fourth and third in the last two county meets but now stand as county champs as a senior. How enjoyable has it been to be party of this growth over the past few seasons?

AW: “It’s been amazing we’ve built such a team. At first, coach Steffy said the three of us, myself, Aliyah (Maldonado) and Celeste (Terrell) built the foundation. Then, we added Payton (Watkins), Aliyaah Burroff and Alizah Welton. The girls have been nothing but sweet and I hope they can carry on the future of the golf team, even when I’m gone.”

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

AW: “I like drawing. I’m an ambassador, so I help out in the community and represent them with festivities and things like that.”

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

AW: “I’m close with my friends, so we hang out every once and a while. I like to go on walks with my family at McCormick’s Creek a lot. I have a small dog named Penny that comes with us.”

BG: What was the last book you read?

AW: “The last book I read was, ‘And Then There Were None’ in Ms. Skiles’ class freshman year.”

BG: ...the last television show/movie you watched?

AW: “I’m trying to rewatch ‘Outer Banks’ because the next season is coming out in October and I want to catch up with that because I’m am forgetful of things that have happened in that and if I go into the next series without watching the last one, I don’t remember what any of those things are.”

BG: ...the last song you had to listen to right that moment?

AW: “‘California Gurls’ by Katy Perry. It’s me gameday song, hands down, every time.”

BG: Your practice/event was canceled for the night. With free time in hand you didn’t anticipate having, what are you off to go do?

AW: “I’d probably watch a movie with my mom. We have girls’ nights sometimes, have a bunch of snacks, hangout and watch a movie we like.”

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

AW: “Take a road trip with my friends and do a bunch of crazy stuff. That or run a marathon.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

AW: “Chickens. It sounds weird but I went to a petting zoo when I was little and a chicken attacked me. I’ve never wanted to touch one since.”

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

AW: “Probably spaghetti. Or I’m making vegetarian tacos for everybody.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

AW: “I have a ginger tabby cat, Milo, and a Maltese dog, Penny.”

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?

AW: “Probably my popsicles. If they weren’t burnt. Or my PS5.”

BG: A family member has hit the lottery. After everything is paid off and money is set away for the future, you’ve been asked to buy something you have always wanted to get. What are you asking for?

AW: “Probably taking my dad to Rome. He’s always wanted to go. And I would take a cross-continent trip as part of it.”

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

AW: “Kind. I like to include everybody, even if they may seem off at first. I like to include everybody. Good days, bad days, no matter what.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

AW: “Disney World. I go every year with my family and we’re going in November. It’s a nice place, almost a second home to me. It’s beautiful down there.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip? (From any year, not just high school)

AW: “Sophomore year, we went to McCormick’s Creek and walked around, looking at the falls and hung out. It was a science field trip but I got to play in water all day. It was hot that day, so I wasn’t complaining.”

BG: How important is support from those around you to your success?

AW: “They are very important. My family has always supported me through any sport I have ever done and are the reason I continue to do sports. The girls that do sports with me are so nice, supportive and sweet. I love them and the mean the world to me.”

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

AW: “Academically, I’ve been able to keep a GPA of 3.0 or higher, which is hard to do. Also, I’ve been able to meet a lot of friends. I met Celeste through golf and many of my friends through cheer. I’ve bonded with a bunch of people I never expected to. If I had been somewhere else, I don’t think I’d ever been the same. I’ve been here the past 12 years and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

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

AW: “French.”

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

AW: “I’m looking to become a biology teacher. There is a teacher, Mrs. Meluch, that really inspired me and my dad has really inspired me. I really got into science because of them. I’ve been able to get As and Bs in that class, so I want to go to IU or ISU to become a teacher.”

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

AW: “A little bit, but you have to remember you’re a student before an athlete, so if I have to take priority on academics, that’s what I do.”

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

AW: “Ms. Skiles. I had her in seventh grade but she follows up with you and has always been there. Mr. Varnes has always given me a laugh, even on my toughest days. They inspire me to keep going.”

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, and if you had your choice, what is your ideal living situation?

AW: “I would like a two-story house, the upper floors for bedrooms, the first floor for a kitchen, dinning and living areas and also a basement in case of tornadoes.”

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

AW: “I’m going to miss it terribly. I’m going to miss doing sports. I don’t want it to end at all. I’ll probably be an emotional wreck at graduation. I’m going to miss every single day of high school. I cannot wait for college but will always remember the town where I came from.”