By Rich Palzewic
Sports editor
Natalie Cerrato (SUR-RAH-TOH) is a senior at De Pere High School currently on the Redbirds’ volleyball team.
She also plays basketball and softball.
Cerrato is not quite sure if college athletics are in the future, but she plans to attend UM-Duluth to possibly study criminology or marketing.
She was also a member of the 2016-2017 basketball team that finished runner-up in the WIAA D1 state championship game, which she considers her most memorable sports moment.
Name: Natalie Cerrato
Nickname: Nat
School: De Pere
Sports: Volleyball, basketball, softball
Parents: Andy and Tammy
Twitter: @CerratoNatalie
Do you have any siblings?
“Carly just turned 21 and goes to UW-Stevens Point. Lexi is 19 and attends the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities.”
Do you come from a sports family?
“Carly plays basketball at Point and also played volleyball in high school. Lexi doesn’t play college sports but played basketball, volleyball and soccer in high school. My dad played football, basketball and baseball and my mom played volleyball, basketball and softball.”
You do three sports! That has to be a grind.
“It’s pretty busy, but I love all three sports that I do – it’s not much of a grind at all. It helps me with my time management. I’ve never thought about stopping any of them because I have so much fun with my teammates.”
What’s it like being one of two seniors on the volleyball team?
“It’s pretty hard with just two seniors because last year we had seven seniors to look up to. We just have to lead by example.”
You definitely have some young – and tall – talent on the team!
“As a young team, we have a lot to learn for sure – the speed of the game is faster. We have a lot of potential to grow.”
How about a high school sport you wish you would have done?
“Hockey would have been fun. Most people think hockey is only for guys. I’m horrible at skating, though.”
Do you have a most embarrassing sports moment?
“During my sophomore year in basketball, I played JV mostly but was pulled up for varsity as well. The first time getting into a varsity game, I airballed my first shot. I just shook it off – it happens all the time now!”
What is something about you most people wouldn’t know?
“In 2008, I was biking in Colorado with my cousin. I had a bike where if you reversed the pedals, it acted as the brakes. My cousin gave me a bike that didn’t have that, so I wasn’t used to it. I was riding on some gravel and fell – a rock got stuck in my knee and created this big hole. I had to go to the emergency room. It kind of ruined the rest of my vacation!”
What are some of your hobbies?
“My schedule is pretty busy obviously, but in my free time I like to hang out with my friends and family as much as I can.”
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
“I’d pick Ayesha Curry because I’m a big Steph Curry fan. It would be cool to be the wife of an NBA player.”
If you could have lunch with any historical person, who would it be?
“Probably singer Freddie Mercury from Queen – he was so musically talented.”
So what’s on your music playlist then?
“I have a big variety of music I listen to. My mom and I listen to ‘80s hair bands – AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Poison and as you can see, I’m wearing a Whitesnake shirt. I also listen to a lot of country. My mom went to Iceland a few weeks ago and saw Guns N’ Roses.”
Besides Wisconsin, what is your favorite state?
“I really like Minnesota. My whole other side of the family is from there. Every time I go there, I feel like it’s my second home.”
How will Natalie Cerrato be remembered at De Pere?
“Hopefully as a nice and outgoing person. I don’t really care what people think of me – I look out for others and take care of myself.”
Sunrise or sunset?
“Sunset.”
City or country?
“Country.”
Night owl or early bird?
“Night owl.”
Twitter or Instagram?
“Twitter.”
Booth or table?
“Booth.”
Favorites
Athlete: NBA player Kevin Durant
Phone app: Snapchat
Food: Pizza
Board game: Life
Holiday: Fourth of July
Notes: Suggestions for the De Pere senior spotlight can be submitted to Rich via email ([email protected]) or via Twitter (@richpalzewic). All spotlights can be found online at thepress.media. Check out the last De Pere spotlight on Jake Proulx.