By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
Name: Vince Vanmieghem
Nickname: Skinny Vinny
Parents: Kim and Ken Vanmieghem
Activity: Track and field
Vince Vanmieghem, a recent graduate of Green Bay Southwest High School, competed in the 800, 1,600 and 4X400 meter relay competitions this past spring in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 1 regional.
The Trojans track and field team finished with 34 points to place seventh in the competition.
Vanmieghem said he’d rather run in extreme heat than arctic cold temperatures and would love to be Elon Musk for a day.
How difficult is track and field?
“It’s an individual sport, so you can push yourself as hard as you want. If you are pushing yourself, it’s a difficult mind game of keeping a pace or going faster.”
What teammate would you like to be trapped on a deserted island with?
“Steele Torrez. He’s built and likes to make fires, so we could make quite the duo.”
Talk about your family.
“My family has always been there. My mom and dad always encouraged me, and my siblings have led by example. Those external factors mean everything to me.”
What’s your most embarrassing track moment?
“This isn’t too embarrassing, but my freshman year, a group of senior guys and I wore Naruto headbands during every race.”
What’s the greatest piece of advice somebody has told you?
“My father has always repeated, ‘Will to proceed, courage to endure.’”
What’s the hardest part about performing in a meet?
“The nerves. Running can be unpredictable. You have to believe you will do well.”
What’s your favorite phone app?
“TikTok.”
What’s a day like in your world?
“I usually wake up, eat breakfast, run, do homework and then either fish or some other outdoor activity with friends. I lead a pretty simple life.”
What’s something about you most people don’t know?
“I’m pretty good at pickleball – it’s an underappreciated sport.”
What are your college aspirations?
“I’m going to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue civil engineering.”
Canada or the Caribbean for vacation?
“The Caribbean.”
What are your hobbies?
“I like to hunt and fish with my dad. Additionally, I like to disc golf with my friends and sit inside and play Xbox.”
What three words describe you?
“Outgoing, hard-working, caring.”
What’s your favorite music genre?
“I listen to many genres, but I listen to hip hop/rap the most.”
If you could listen to any song before a track meet, what would it be?
‘“Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor.”
If you could attend the Olympics, which event would you concentrate on watching?
“The 800-meter run.”
What three things will you miss about attending Green Bay Southwest?
“The diverse atmosphere, the caring staff and the athletics program (weight room).”
Running in the mountains in Colorado or alongside Highway 1 on the Pacific Coast of California?
“The mountains in Colorado.”
Favorites
Pro/college team: Green Bay Packers
Subject: Math
Movie: “Mulan”
Food: Lasagna
Sports editor’s note: To read last week’s Nicolet National Bake Senior Spotlight on West De Pere’s Lydia McMorrow, CLICK HERE.