Category: Baller of the Month

September Baller of the Month

The Baller of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s recipient is Senior Nicholas Stocks. Here’s what he had to say:

1. What are your thoughts on winning this award?  

I appreciate having my hard work acknowledged by my teammates.

2. How do you think our first tournament went?  What team skills does the team need more work on? 

As a team, we learned a lot about ourselves. The rookies performed well for it being their first tournament and the veterans did an excellent job assisting the rookies. Moving forward, we need to focus on improving our communication on the court.

3. What is a personal dodgeball goal you want to achieve before nationals?

My goal is to continue to work on my throw, so it becomes solid and consistent.

4. Do you have any advice for the rookies regarding dodgeball or skills practices? 

Make it a priority to come to practice. If you want to improve, consistent attendance is essential.

September Rookie of the Month

The Rookie of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s winner was Ian Westrick! He is a currently pursing a degree in General Engineering and is expected to graduate in 2028. Here are his responses from a brief interview.

1. How has this award impacted you and your interest in Dodgeball? 

This award has impacted me by encouraging me to push myself even harder to improve.

2. What was your impression about your first tournament? 

My impression of the first tournament was that it was a very fun event. The atmosphere while playing was awesome.

3. What skills do you hope to improve on for future tournaments? How do you plan on achieving those goals?

I hope to improve my accuracy, throwing form, and mobility. I plan on achieving these goals by attending as many skills nights and practices as I am able to. 

4. Where do you see yourself on the team going forward? 

I see myself staying on the team and continuing to improve on my skills. I feel like I have a strong arm that can be a help at some point in the future as well. 

We are excited to see how Ian continues to improve throughout the rest of the season!

April 2024 Baller of the Month- Cody Baxter

Senior #14

The Baller of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s recipient is Senior Cody Baxter. Here’s what he had to say:

How do you feel about getting BOTM?  

I feel honored, I’ve had a lot of setbacks throughout my career here at UWP but I wanted to end on a high note and give this team everything I had left in me this last month and they saw that.

Did you accomplished the goals you wanted this season? 

Yes and no. I improved and was able to be leaned on when I needed to be that guy, however, I really wanted to have one season here where I was healthy from start to finish and life thought otherwise.

How have you felt about the season? 

I don’t think I could have asked for a better season with the cards we were dealt. This team was the closest knit unit we have had during my tenure and for as young as the team is, these guys really picked up on things and made it a fun atmosphere to be around.

Anything else you’d like to say to the team/readers?

I would like to thank everyone for their support. We really appreciate having you guys there for us. To the team, thank you for this past season. I’m going to miss being on the court with you guys.

Congratulations again to Cody Baxter on receiving the Baller of the Month award. We look forward to seeing who’s next! Go ‘Neers!

April 2024 Rookie of the Month-Hollie Wheeler

Freshman #98

The Rookie of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s recipient is freshman Hollie Wheeler. Here’s what she had to say:

1. How do you feel about being voted ROTM?

I am very thankful that my teammates voted for me because it shows that they recognize my accomplishments and hard work. It also makes me feel proud of myself for achieving recognition.

2. How are you planning on continuing to improve for next season? 

I look forward to attending as many practices and skills sessions as I can to work on gaining experience with the team and refining my skills as an individual. I want to improve on my endurance so I can play hard for every point.

3. What are your goals for the next season? 

I want to throw consistently, low, and powerful. I would like to be more confident and natural in my throwing next season. As I work on throwing, catching, and blocking, I hope to have a healthy season with no injuries.

4. How did you felt about the season?

It was a really fun couple of months and I learned a lot. Initially, I didn’t realize the kinds of strategies and teamwork that go into dodgeball. Over the last few months, I’ve felt like I’ve improved a lot and gained more confidence on and off the court. I think it was a great first season for me to be a part of and I look forward to next season.

5. Anything else you’d like to tell the readers?

My only regret is that I didn’t join sooner. I hope that more universities can form their own teams to get more people involved in the near future.

Congratulations again to Hollie Wheeler on receiving the Rookie of the Month award. We look forward to seeing who’s next! Go ‘Neers!

March 2024 Rookie of the Month- Teigan Reich

The Rookie of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s recipient is freshman Teigan Reich. Here’s what he had to say:

1. How do you feel about being voted ROTM?

I feel great knowing that my team voted me ROTM

2. How are you planning on continuing your work? 

Keep up my good work and try to improve any way I can.

3. What are your goals for the remainder of the season? 

To finish strong at Nationals.

4. How have you felt about the season so far? 

We haven’t been wining but we are still a good team.

5. Anything else you’d like to tell the readers?

 Go ‘Neers!

Congratulations again to Teigan Reich on receiving the Rookie of the Month award. We look forward to seeing who’s next! Go ‘Neers!

March 2024 Baller of the Month- Nicholas Stocks

Junior #27

The Baller of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s recipient is junior Nicholas Stocks. Here’s what he had to say:

How do you feel getting BOTM? 

It’s motivating to know my teammates recognize my hard work and time put in on the court.

What are your plans to continue to improve? 

Keep showing up to practice ready to play and get better as a team.

What are your goals that you want to see accomplished this season? 

I plan to help others on the team lock down their own skills as nationals’ approach. At nationals I want us to go out, work hard, work together, and have some fun.

How have you felt about the season so far? 

We’ve had our setbacks this season, but we have managed to persevere and continue to get better.

Anything else you’d like to say to the team/readers? 

No matter how our trip to Columbus goes I am proud of this team and the growth each player has made. Everyone has had their own troubles and difficulties, but they all manage to push through and continue to improve. As always, Roll ‘Neers.

Congratulations again to Nicholas Stocks on receiving the Baller of the Month award. We look forward to seeing who’s next! Go ‘Neers!

February 2024 Rookie of the Month- Kate Douglas

Junior #70

The Rookie of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s recipient is junior Kate Douglas. Here’s what she had to say:

1. How do you feel about being voted ROTM?

I feel very proud of myself for making an impact on my teammates and to be voted ROTM.

2. How are you planning on continuing your work? 

I plan on continuing to attend practices and skills sessions when I can, and I hope the team can schedule more hang outs in the future.

3. What are your goals for the remainder of the season? 

I aim to head to nationals on a confident foot much like I had at the spring home tournament. 

4. How have you felt about the season so far? 

This season has been a journey of figuring out my limits as a player and figuring out how to play the game the best I can. 

5. Anything else you’d like to tell the readers?

I hope my growth and improvements have been noticeable because I feel like a better player compared to when I started. 

Congratulations again to Kate Douglas on receiving the Rookie of the Month award. We look forward to seeing who’s next! Go ‘Neers!

February 2024 Baller of the Month- Dalton Foreyt

Sophomore #47

The Baller of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s recipient is sophomore Dalton Foreyt. Here’s what he had to say:

1. How do you feel about being voted BOTM?

Feel honored to be voted by my peers as baller of the month.

2. How are you planning on continuing your work? 

Constant improvement and making sure that everyone feels included and important as a member of this team.

3. What are your goals for the remainder of the season? 

Get more catches.

4. How have you felt about the season so far? 

Feel like this is a vast improvement on teamwork, especially by our rookies.

5. Anything else you’d like to tell the readers?

You are the only person that can choose what you do and what you can’t do.

Congratulations again to Dalton Foreyt on receiving the Baller of the Month award. We look forward to seeing who’s next! Go ‘Neers!

January 2024 Rookie of the Month- Erik Nelson

Freshman

The Rookie of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s recipient is sophomore Erik Nelson. Here’s what he had to say:

How do you feel getting ROTM? 

I feel motivated about being rookie of the month, it shows that the work I put in practice pays off, that I’m being noticed for my effort and commitment. It feels good to be valued.

What are your plans to continue to improve? 

I plan on working harder on my lungs and stamina. Too long has asthma been a pain in my neck, I want to work hard and rise above it, for me and my team.

What are your goals for the remainder of the season?

I want to improve, everything. Every bit of feedback I take to heart, I want to screw up, get corrected, and next play apply what I’ve been corrected on. I want to burn rubber and I want to learn in the process.

Anything else you’d like to say to the team/readers? 

If you are a rookie at anything. Don’t argue, don’t try to be in the right when you messed up. Your coach, your boss, your professor, even your peers or team. Look them in the eyes and take in everything they say, learn, improve, get better. Every missed throw, every missed tackle, every problem on a test you got wrong isn’t a bad thing, it’s an opportunity, and opportunity for others to sharpen you, to take a step in and teach you.  You don’t learn something from being good all the time, you learn from being in the wrong. Stay humble and stay hungry. 

Congratulations again to Erik Nelson on receiving the Baller of the Month award. We look forward to seeing who’s next! Go ‘Neers!

January 2024 Baller of the Month- Zach Brand

Sophomore #72

The Baller of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s recipient is sophomore Zach Brand. Here’s what he had to say:

How do you feel getting BOTM? 

I feel like the months of hard work are starting to pay off and I’m grateful that my team is noticing.

What are your plans to continue to improve? 

I’m planning on doing as much as I can outside of practice to continue to improve for myself on top of that I plan to give full support to my teammates as I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

How have you felt about the season so far? 

The season isn’t too bad, we had a lot of hiccups this last semester, but we are going to come back stronger this semester.

What are your goals for the remainder of the season?

For the remainder of the season, I want to continue working on catching and blocking as those are really important attributes for a good player.

Anything else you’d like to say to the team/readers? 

For the people reading this I’d like to thank you for all the support you’ve given us until now, it doesn’t go unnoticed.

Congratulations again to Zach Brand on receiving the Baller of the Month award. We look forward to seeing who’s next! Go ‘Neers!