Keegan Rusch (Kimberly Fix Photography)
By Rich Palzewic
Sports editor
Keegan Rusch (ROOSH), a 6-foot-3 senior at Bay Port High School, recently completed his second season with the boys’ varsity soccer team.
Rusch, a goalie, likes hunting, fishing, staying active and playing sports.
He plans to study mechanical engineering in college, with UW-Platteville as being an option. Rusch is hoping soccer beyond high school is a possibility as well.
Name: Keegan Rusch
Nickname: Keeg
School: Bay Port
Sport: Boys’ soccer
Position: Goalie
Parents: Chad and Andrea
Twitter: @KeeganRusch
Tell me about your family.
“I have a younger brother named Gavin who is a sophomore at Bay Port and a younger sister named Cadence who is a freshman. My mom went to Bay Port and my dad went to Ashwaubenon.”
Do you come from a sports family?
“My brother is big into baseball and my sister plays softball and volleyball. My mom used to play tennis and my dad did track and field.”
Have you always been a goalie?
“During my Bay View Middle School days, I was playing for the Howard Hurricanes in a club game against a tough Menasha team. I was thrown in there and did really well. We ended up tying 2-2, and ever since then, I’ve been a goalie.”
Is there anything more nerve-wracking than facing a penalty kick or being in a shootout?
“There’s nothing like that. The shootout is definitely more intense.”
What’s your thought process during a penalty kick?
“I see who’s taking the shot, but I can usually tell what their tendencies are – where they shoot and what foot they use. Honestly, you just have to guess which way to go based on your intuition and hope you get a chance to save it.”
The gloves you wear – are they sticky or just help with padding?
“Nothing too big, but they just give you extra padding. My goalie jersey also has padding along the arms.”
Have you ever played any other sports while at Bay Port?
“I played football my freshman and sophomore year.”
How about a high school sport you wish you would have done?
“I wish freshman year I would have played basketball. My skill set wasn’t very good then, but maybe if I had stuck with it, I could have made varsity this year.”
Do you have a most memorable sports moment?
“This year our conference game against Preble. It’s a big rivalry and was a home game. They were highly ranked and we ended up tying them 1-1.”
A most embarrassing one?
“We were playing Southwest this year and an easy ball came across on the ground. I said ‘keep’ on the play, meaning I was going to take it. I thought Brock Freeman was going to clear it, but he was listening to me – like he should have been – and they ended up getting a goal on it.”
Name a person that has made a big impact on your life.
“My mom and dad. They are always trying to make me a better person and I feel they do a good job of that.”
What three words best describe you?
“Fun, nice, hard-working.”
Besides Wisconsin, what state is your favorite?
“Florida – it’s down south and warm. Just keep the hurricanes away.”
How will Keegan Rusch be remembered at Bay Port?
“Hopefully as someone who gave it their all and tried their best.”
Tent or camper?
“Tent.”
Lie on the beach or ski down the slopes?
“Ski down the slopes.”
Do the dishes or vacuum?
“Vacuum.”
Chocolate or vanilla?
“Vanilla.”
Spring or fall?
“Fall.”
Favorites
Athlete: Jordy Nelson
Candy: Skittles
Phone app: Snapchat
Holiday: Fourth of July
College mascot: Bucky the Badger
Notes: All spotlights can be found online at gopresstimes.com. Check out last week’s interview with Bay Port swimmer Emily Zimmer.