By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
Name: Sage Wagner
Parents: Mari and Todd
Activity: Cross Country
Twitter: SageWagner23
What is it like to be a leader on the cross-country team at Ashwaubenon High School? “Being a leader on the cross-country team is a very rewarding and humbling experience. Having the opportunity to lead by example as well as urge my teammates to reach their goals is something that I believe is an important aspect of any sport. Being vocal comes naturally whether it be cheering someone on during a workout or giving them simple tips. Taking on the role of a leader in this sport can be challenging as well because others look to you for guidance and encouragement at times when you may not have it yourself.”
What is your most embarrassing moment ever in cross country? “For me, the most embarrassing moment in cross country was during my eighth-grade season. I was leading but turned the wrong way because a runner that wasn’t a part of the race was on the same trail and went that way. I assumed this person was leading the race, so I followed them but quickly found out I went the wrong way after no one else followed me.”
How many years have you been involved in cross country? “I’ve been involved in cross country since I was in fourth grade.”
What is your most memorable moment? “The most memorable moment of cross country was my sophomore year at State. A group of my teammates showed up to watch and they all made signs to cheer me on. I think it was the most memorable because I didn’t know what place I was in until the huge hill right at the end and I heard all of my teammates, coaches, and of course my parents screaming that I was in eleventh. Crossing the line with all of them cheering loudly was something I’ll never forget.”
What’s the hardest part about performing in a cross-country competition? “The hardest part about performing in a cross-country meet is staying mentally strong. Many times during a race you think it would just be easier to give up, especially at the parts where no spectators are cheering you on. Each time that happens, you have to talk yourself out of it and remind yourself that it’ll be worth it in the end. Mentality also plays a huge role during an injury or after a bad race. Those negative thoughts cloud all the positive work you’ve put in during the off season and if you don’t let those go, they continue to drag your performance down.”
If you could be somebody for a day, who would it be? “If I could be someone for a day, I would definitely be someone who travels the world for a living. I think that being able to experience the culture of an unfamiliar country would be a great experience.”
What is your sports routine before a big game starts? “Before a big meet, I always triple check that I have everything I need. Then, music is always a necessity prior to my warmup. Usually, the whole team blasts music from a speaker so we can all get pumped up.”
Do you have a nickname or something a teammate calls you during a game? “I actually don’t have any nicknames.”
What is one thing that other teammates or coaches don’t know about you? “I’m a very open person with the team so there isn’t really much that they don’t know about me.”
Winning individual honors or a big team win? “A big team win for sure. Winning individually is always nice, but the experience is one hundred times better when there’s a team to share it with. This way, everyone knows that their hard work has paid off.”
What are your college aspirations? “I haven’t decided on a college yet, but I plan to attend a four-year college as well as hope to continue my athletic career simultaneously.”
What would your dream job be once you graduate? “My dream job would either be a DNA forensic scientist or a physical therapist. It’s a hard choice between those two.”
What are your hobbies? “My hobbies include anything outdoors. I love to bike, camp, and play pretty much any sport.”
What is your favorite type of music? “I listen to a wide variety of music daily. Most often, I listen to rap or hip hop.”
What is your favorite thing to do on your phone? “My favorite things to do on my phone would have to be Snapchat and Instagram. Those are the two apps that I use way too often on a daily basis.”
What three words describe you? “Competitive, reliable, and sarcastic”
Favorites
Food: Mac and cheese
Subject: English
Color: Red
TV Show: “Prison Break”
Athlete: Matthew Centrowitz
Board Game: Monopoly
Candy: Kit Kat
Ice Cream: Mint chocolate chip
Holiday: Halloween
Season: Fall