Featured Senior Athlete: Brayden Neureiter, North Putnam

Brayden is a senior at North Putnam and participates in two sports, soccer and volleyball. He is the son of Jenny Neureiter and Ben Neureiter.

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

Brayden Neureiter: “Soccer has been my sport since really day one — I’ve been playing my whole life since I was three. It’s up there in importance. I love playing it. I love watching it. Definitely moving forward, I’m going to play on intramural teams and I’m going to try and join adult leagues.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

BN: “My game day routine looks a little different this year. I come from work and then I get there. But every year I sit down with the team and we all have a little light dinner and talk and joke around. Then we head out to the locker room. I like to get dressed in my uniform, and starting last year I started doing a wrist tape thing. That’s become a tradition. I feel incomplete without it.”

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

BN: “Purdue for college — all sports. My favorite soccer team is definitely Chelsea Football Club. I like the Colts and Pacers and Pirates.”

BG: You’re part of a group that has brought North Putnam soccer to a point it had not previously reached. Describe what it’s been like to be building a legacy for the program.

BN: “It’s been amazing, especially being with all those people. They’re good people off the field too. We’ve had multiple refs come up to us and say we have good sportsmanship and talk us up. That feels good.”

BG: What has it been like to start something new like the boys’ volleyball program?

BN: “I was there my sophomore year, and it was one of the best times of my life, honestly. It was just a club then, where you were there for the people. It’s all your friends, you have a bunch of fun. Then last year, I played baseball, which I regret, honestly. I should’ve stayed with volleyball. This year I’m making the decision to go back to volleyball because that’s where you make some friends and then build some bonds.”

To read the rest of Brayden’s interview, visit us at www.bannergraphic.com

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

BN: “I do National Honor Society and Champions Together — last year I was an officer for that. That’s also really fun.”

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

BN: “I like to watch a lot of sports. I volunteer on the tech team at Greencastle Christian Church. And a lot of people don’t like to, but I like to go to work. I like my job at Myers’ Market.”

BG: What was the last book you read?

BN: “It was forced in class. Right now it’s ‘Grendel,’ and I don’t like it.”

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

BN: “The last TV show was probably ‘South Park’ or ‘Family Feud.’ In movies, just because it’s getting toward Halloween, ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre.’ I watched that for the first time.”

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

BN: “I’m gonna say ‘Mr. Right Now’ by 21 Savage.”

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?

BN: “I’m going to either go out to dinner with my family, go see my girlfriend or go out with friends.”

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

BN: “Skydiving, definitely.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

BN: “I don’t know. That’s a good question.”

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

BN: “Probably something I can microwave or spaghetti because I can actually cook that.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

BN: “I have a border collie named Smokey.”

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?

BN: “My sports card collection. It’s not really worth anything, but a couple of weeks ago, I got a card signed by Razor Shines at the Indians game.”

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?

BN: “I want to go to London and watch Chelsea. That’s my big bucket list thing.”

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

BN: “I’d say fun. My favorite thing is to joke around. It’s fun to laugh and smile.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

BN: “Charleston, S.C. My godfather lives there, so it’s fun to visit him, and it’s beautiful down there. I want to live there one day.”

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

BN: “I remember in elementary school, we went to Lucas Oil Stadium and got to tour the stadium and be on the field. It was pretty cool.”

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

BN: “It definitely helps. I like words of encouragement. I can sometimes get down on myself, and if someone tries to cheer me up, it definitely helps.”

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

BN: “I feel like academically, there’s definitely some classes I could do better on. But I feel like I’m a pretty good student. I get my work done on time. With athletics, I try to get all my work done before games, especially if we have time. This year, I’m only taking three classes, so I normally only have homework on weekends. I try to work that into my schedule if the game’s on Saturdays, normally.”

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

BN: “Bowling.”

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

BN: “I want to go to Purdue — 100 percent. I really don’t have my heart set on anything. I’m going to go in for exploratory studies and get all my basic classes done. If I can’t get accepted into Purdue, I’m going to go to Indiana State and get all that done and then transfer to Purdue because I want to get that Purdue diploma.”

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

BN: “No. If you really put your mind to it, it’s not that difficult because you can get most of your stuff done in class. They give you a lot of time.”

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

BN: “I’ve really enjoyed AP U.S. History and AP World History with Mr. (Kyle) Morgan because it’s fun to have your coach in class and then go out to practice. The same with English both junior and senior year with Mr. (Caleb) Hubble because he’s another coach this year. It’s always fun to see them outside the classroom.”

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

BN: “I don’t want to be in Indiana. I’m over Indiana because weather here is stupid. I said South Carolina, but I’m not really big on the beach. I do like mountains, but I don’t know if I’d want to live there — it’s somewhere that has everything and it’s not Indiana weather.”

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

BN: “It’s gone really fast. I was listening to Mr. (Jason) Chew when I was a freshman and he said, ‘Your senior year is going to be here before you know it.’ I thought, ‘whatever,’ but now it’s here and it’s crazy how fast it’s gone. I’m definitely going to miss it because there’s so many friendships and bonds I’ve made, even with underclassmen, not just people in my grade. Leaving high school and going to somewhere like West Lafayette, you’re not going to be close to them. It’s going to be hard to see them and keep contact with them.”