By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – Before Bay Port High School senior Keaton Spindler moved to the area last year, he was living in Virginia.
Since his move to Suamico, he has found a home with the boys’ swimming team and head coach Steve Jeffers.
“It was hard moving because I didn’t know anyone here,” said Spindler, who is the son of Matt and Sheila Spindler. “I met lots of great friends, and the swimming team helped in the transition. My best friends are on the team, and everyone made me feel welcome right away. My extended family lives in Wisconsin, so we left Virginia and wanted to be closer to them.”
Spindler was born in Minnesota, moved to New York and finally to Virginia for four years prior to the move here.
Spindler said his family comes from a sports background.
“My younger brother Carson is 15 and a freshman at Bay Port,” said Spindler, who likes snowboarding, hunting, fishing and spending time with friends and family. “Carson plays basketball, soccer and tennis. My sister Katie does swimming and dance. My dad swam in college at UW-Eau Claire, and my mom played soccer in high school.”
Spindler will be staying in-state after he graduates from Bay Port next spring.
“I was undecided about my college choice, but on Dec. 20, I was accepted to UW-Madison,” he said. “I’ll be studying mechanical engineering. Michigan Tech University and UW-Milwaukee were also possibilities. My dream job would be to work for SpaceX or Tesla – they’d both be cool companies to have a job with.”
Spindler said Jeffers pushes the team to do its best.
“Coach Jeffers is a great guy and coach,” he said. “He’s a hard coach, but he gets the best out of the guys. I love him as my coach.”
Spindler swims the sprint events.
“I do the 50-yard freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly,” he said. “My favorite event is the 50 freestyle, and the 500 freestyle is my least favorite – it’s long and tiring.”
Even though Spindler has been swimming for about 10 years, he feels he could do a basic dive.
“I could do a backflip,” he said laughing. “I think I could score a seven on a dive.”
Spindler describes himself as hard-working, dedicated and caring.
When asked how he would like to be remembered at Bay Port, he had a simple answer.
“I’d like to be remembered as someone who was a great friend who was there for everyone,” he said. “I feel I am a kind and caring person.”
Spindler said his most memorable swimming moment occurred in his junior season.
“Winning the sectional meet for the third time in a row was special,” he said. “After they announced we had won, it was memorable jumping in the water as a team to celebrate. I think we have a good chance to win again – our team is looking good now.”
His most embarrassing moment happened years ago.
“One time when I was little,” Spindler said, “I was swimming, and my suit came untied. I had to stop and pull it up – it was embarrassing.”
Editor’s note: If you have a suggestion for the Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight, email Rich at rpalzewic@mmclocal.com.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here