De Pere High School, basketball
Parents: Darrel and Kim Bjorge
Siblings: 13 year old brother, Cameron Bjorge
Instagram and Twitter: @clairebjorge
Positions: Shooting Guard/ Point Guard
Career Highlight: My career highlight took place my sophomore year of high school when I helped my team make it to the WIAA state tournament at the Resch Center.
Who first introduced you to basketball?
My dad first introduced me to basketball when I was a little girl. He coached me in YMCA ball.
What made you fall in love with the sport?
Growing up my dad would always take me to watch the older girls play at De Pere and I think that was part of the reason I fell in love with the game. I looked up to a lot of those girls.
How has it been adjusting from being an underclassman to your senior status now?
Adjusting from being an underclassmen to my senior status now has not only been fun but also easy due to the role models I had as a Sophomore. Jordan Meulemans, Avery Bierowski, McKenna Ciesielczyk, and Oakley Witteck were all great leaders and showed me what it takes to lead a team to success.
Would you say you prefer conditioning or strength training better?
I rather prefer conditioning rather than strength training but I would say as an athlete strength training is more important.
What is a specific activity or drill in practice that you enjoy doing?
A specific drill in practice that I enjoy doing is three on three or two on two drills.
Is there a professional or collegiate athlete that you’ve been inspired by?
A professional athlete that I have looked up to since I was a little girl is Arike Ogunbowale. I have been following her career since she played High School ball at DSHA.
What is your pregame ritual?
My pregame ritual is to have a Chocolate Peanut Butter Gatorade bar before the game.
Favorite collegiate or professional sports team?
My favorite collegiate basketball team to watch right now is the Iowa women’s basketball team.
Any memorable coaches or teammates that you would like to give a shout out to?
A memorable coach I would like to give a shout out to would have to be Liz Grzesk.
Do you have any hobbies outside of sports?
Some of my hobbies outside of basketball are just hanging out with my friends and family and shopping.
What are your plans for the future?
After high school I plan on playing basketball at the University of Minnesota Duluth and I am undecided on a major yet but am thinking something in the medical field.
Any advice you would give the younger generation of athletes?
One piece of advice for the younger generation of athletes: Cherish every year of high school basketball you have because it goes by faster than you think.