With sports being such a dire part of Chief Pride, The Treaty zeroed in on some of Kempsville’s best of the best winter athletes.

Chris Chaney: Basketball– Small Forward

Why do you enjoy basketball?

It’s something I’ve played my whole life.

Favorite/most memorable moment?

It was when I scored my first double because it made me realize where I stand.

When did you know that basketball was something that you wanted to do?

It just runs in the family and I had to keep the tradition going.

Jeanette Lam: Swimming—Breaststroke, Fly, and Freestyle

Why do you enjoy swimming?

I think the team element is really good. Everybody is really close on the team and honestly I feel like it’s one of the hardest sports because you have to use every muscle in your body and you’re holding your breath. It’s a good workout.

Favorite/most memorable moment?

Probably the team dinners on Thursday nights. Those are always fun and the houses that host them have like 10 huge dishes of pasta. Also, one of my most memorable moments is last year when we swam against Cox and they’re one of the number one teams in the district. Everyone thought we were going to be bad, but I got my personal record for the whole season.

When did you know that this was something that you wanted to do?

Well I started swimming when I was six, so it’s kind of been something I’ve always done. When I got to high school, it was just something I couldn’t not do. I almost didn’t do it this year because I was so busy, but I felt that it was one of those things I had to finish.

Josh Green: Indoor Track—Pole Vaulting and Jumping

How do you prepare yourself for track?

– Trains 5-6 days a week

– Speed work to weight room, conditioning, breaking the fundamentals down, and working on jumps

Most memorable moment?

In 2013 at New Balance Nationals, it was me and three other guys and we ran with the fastest team in the nation who ended up breaking the nation record. It was cool to race with them on the highest level.

When did you know that this was something that you wanted to do?

I think sophomore year. In freshman year, I was still getting into the sport, but sophomore year I really started to see that I was improving and this was something I could do going into college competing wise and maybe even get scholarships. In college, I want to do decathlon which is ten events.

Maddie Hamlin: Gymnastics

Is there anything special you do in gymnastics?

I do all four events, not just one. The events are vault, bars, beam and floor.

Why do you enjoy gymnastics?

I like how challenging it is sometimes and I like the lessons it teaches such as time management.

Favorite/most memorable moment?

It was freshman year at my first competition for high school gymnastics. It was a completely different experience and I truly enjoyed it and it got me hooked (on high school gymnastics).

Shimelis Stone: Wrestling

What is the most challenging part for you?

I’d say it’s either cutting weight or staying in shape.

Favorite or most memorable moment?

My favorite moment was getting fourth in the state.

When did you know that this was something that you wanted to do?

When I was a freshman. I did martial arts before I went into wrestling and that made me want to do it. It’s like fighting basically, except your just trying to submit your opponent.