By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
Raquel Wineck is a senior at Bay Port High School on the dance team.
A member of the state championship kick-routine squad, she hopes to attend UW-Madison for college.
Besides dancing, Wineck also likes to play board games, watch movies and hang out with friends.
Name: Raquel Wineck
Nickname: Rocky
School: Bay Port
Sport: Dance
Parents: Ed and Renee
Twitter: @raquelwineck
Tell me about your family.
“I have three older brothers who are in their 20s – Hayden, Justin and Brandon. My dad is a radiologist and my mom used to be an accountant. My dad was born in Alaska and my mom in Illinois.”
Do you come from a sports/dance family?
“Not really. One of my brothers did basketball in high school. I think my dad might have played basketball and my mom cheered.”
How about a high school sport you wish you would have done?
“I used to play soccer up to the fourth grade so probably that.”
Tell me how it feels to be a state champ!
“It’s awesome! We won my freshman year, but at that point, I didn’t know how hard we had to work. Now I realize what it takes.”
What’s it like dancing for coach Cora Wittmann?
“It’s a lot of fun. I like how she is young and just got out of high school and college recently. She relates well to us. She has a fulltime job on top of being our coach, so it sets a good example for us. I like her a lot and she’s awesome.”
How difficult is a dance routine?
“It’s harder than most people think. It’s a lot of cardio and you have to obviously stay together as a group. It’s really tiring.”
And you also have to look like it’s fun and be happy!
“Yes. We have to keep smiling – presentation is a big part of the points we get. If we don’t have that, we won’t do as well. A lot of people don’t look at dance as a sport but more as art. It’s definitely not easy to put everything together.”
Is there something about you most people wouldn’t know?
“I was born in Marinette, Wisconsin, and moved from that area to here when I was about 6 years old. Also, my favorite board game is Clue – I’m obsessed with it.”
What teammate would you go on a long trip with?
“Definitely Averie Tenor because she is my best friend and we laugh at everything. She would make the time go by fast and she likes good music.”
What three words best describe you?
“Optimistic, determined, funny.”
How will Raquel Wineck be remembered at Bay Port?
“Hopefully as a friendly person who was nice to everyone and positive.”
Vacuum or do the dishes?
“Do the dishes.”
Spring or fall?
“Spring.”
Tiny house or treehouse?
“Tiny house.”
Booth or table?
“Booth.”
Chocolate or vanilla?
“Chocolate.”
Kick or pom?
“Pom.”
Favorites
Food: Pasta
Athlete: Dancer Kalani Hilliker
Phone app: Instagram
Ice cream: Cookie Dough
Holiday: Christmas