Q&A with Paige Seckar, student athlete of the month
Q:What got you into sports?
A: My dad and brother got me into basketball, and my mom got me into volleyball. My dad played basketball in college so he put me in basketball camps and kids leagues when I was little, but seeing my older brother (who currently plays basketball in college) play growing up made me want to be just like him, which is what really sparked my love for the sport. My mom played volleyball in high school and I was a relatively tall kid, so she put me in the kids camps here at West growing up and I just stuck with it. I play both basketball and volleyball today.
Q:How do you balance sports with school?
A:Being a student athlete is not easy, but the biggest thing I always come back to is making sure my priorities are straight. There are a lot of different things that need your attention in a day between school and sports, but if you know what’s most important to you, and what will have the most impact on your future, and you put a majority of your time into those things, you will succeed. Being okay with having off days is also huge when it comes to the mental side of being a successful student-athlete. Your best yesterday might not be your best today, but that’s okay. Finding joy within your sport and school will make being a student-athlete pay off.
Q:Who has helped you the most during your career?
A:My dad has helped me the most in basketball. He is very smart and knows a ton about the sport since he played in college and coached, so he is always giving me tips on how to improve my game. He knows both sides of the game, so we always watch game film together and he walks me through every aspect which is what helped me develop my basketball IQ the most. He is also a great workout partner; he puts me through drills and workouts consisting of things I need to improve on, which helps me take my game to that next level.
Q:Do you have any pre game rituals and where did they come from?
A:One pregame ritual I have is I eat a Rice Krispy before every game. Almost two years ago, I saw some guy on tiktok eat one and it looked really good so the next day I went and bought a box of them and it’s just stuck with me ever since.
Q:What are you looking forward to regarding your senior year?
A:I am looking forward to spending these last few months making memories with the people I grew up with. I am also excited for snowblast week and prom!
Q:What are your after high school plans?
A:After high school I will be attending UW-Oshkosh to play basketball as well as majoring in education.
Q:What have sports done for you - what’s the biggest takeaway?
A:The two main things sports have taught me are how to face adversity and treating others with respect. Every day you will be hit with some kind of adversity in your sport whether it’s within your team, injuries, or just simply having an off day. But I learned the only way to get through it is to face it head on, keep a positive attitude, and reach out for help if you need it. This goes so much further than just sports too. More often than not something won't go your way, but you can’t do anything about it other than how you respond. If there is one thing that can get you to wherever you want to be in life, it’s treating others with respect and saying your thank yous. Most likely, you wouldn’t be where you are today without someone else’s support, so show your appreciation where it’s due. If you respect someone else, they will respect you, and you will get to where you want to be. Respecting your teammates and coaches should be an expectation. They are there to make you better, so the least you can do for them is give them the respect they deserve.
Q:Who is your favorite famous athlete and why?
A:I am a big fan of Paige Bueckers because we have the same name. She is also a great basketball player, and her game is fun to watch.
by Sophie Carlin
Published on January 29 2024
Oshkosh West Index volume 120 issue IV