Senior Spotlight: Ambati weighs in on athletic quest, family values
Q: What got you into sports?
A: My dad was originally the one who got me into sports. He coached me and my sisters in soccer for a long time. I started playing basketball and started track in middle school. Also, I started playing football in 6th grade because some of my friends, including Drew Blair, told me to try and kick a football over the soccer goal, and then they got really excited when I did. I had already been doing that playing soccer so I decided to play football as well because people were happy when that happened in this sport. After hurting my knee at the end of my junior season of football, I decided to not do basketball and swim for the school to stay in shape for track in the spring.
Q: How do you balance sports with school?
A: I try to do a majority of my homework in school during my open hour or after school waiting for practices. It helps to talk to other people in my classes and work through problems with them and ask questions. I don't have a lot of free time, but I enjoy staying busy.
Q: Who has helped you the most during your career?
A: The obvious answer is my family. They go to most of my games and encourage me to keep going. Also, my coaches have helped me to stay motivated throughout my high school career. Coach Stuiber is one that is not afraid to ask you questions that others are thinking of but are too scared to ask. He keeps me accountable and pushes me to be better everyday.
Q: Do you have any pre game rituals and where did they come from?
A: I know a lot of people who like to listen to loud music and get excited before games. I am not really like that. I am pretty quiet before games and I usually pray before games or races because it helps me to get calmed down and relaxed.
Q: What are you looking forward to regarding your senior year?
A: Something I am looking forward to for my senior year is coaching powderpuff, playing Ironman volleyball, rec ball season, and track season.
Q: What are your after high school plans?
A: I’m planning on getting a degree in biomedical engineering. I’m still unsure which college, but probably UWO.
Q: What have sports done for you?
A: Sports has helped me to stay active, make some of my best friends, and most of all have fun. I want to continue to play sports in college even if it is just in a rec team. I encourage everyone to at least play one sport in high school especially because of the friendships you will make that will last a long time.
Q: Who is your favorite famous athlete and why?
A: My favorite famous athlete is Davante Adams because I grew up watching him on the Packers and I learned a lot watching him play wide receiver.
by Sophie Carlin
Published October 2 2023
Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue I