Sometimes coaches and teachers encounter a student who rises above the rest. With a hunger to prove himself on the field with the Redwater Dragons, Dalton White is determined to succeed. That's why he's become our new Athlete of the Week!

"Dalton is a sophomore who moved up to varsity to play football," says Coach Thomas Graf. "He's a great kid, quiet, and just says "Yes, Sir" no matter what I ask of him. I wish I had a hundred more just like him."

Recently I had the chance to chat with Dalton about life, football and rock and roll. Here's what he had to say:

Jathan Fink: Coach Graf told me you just joined the varsity team, but that you're only a sophomore. How did that happen?

Dalton White: I started out on the junior varsity, but our starting varsity fullback, Jacobi Briscoe, got hurt. So I moved up to replace him.

JF: What positions do you play on the team?

DW: I play fullback and middle linebacker.

JF: What number do you wear?

DW: I wear number 31.

JF: Is there a particular reason why you have that number?

DW: I've always liked that number and it was available when I got moved up, so that's why I chose it.

JF: Are you superstitious?

DW: (laughing) Not really.

JF: Do you have a pregame ritual?

DW: I listen to music before every game, if you would count that as a ritual.

JF: One of the things I always like to find out about when I talk to people is what inspires them. So who or what pushes you to always do better? Is there someone you'd call your hero in life or is there an athlete that you look up to?

DW: All the seniors that graduated last year are a really big inspiration to me. I definitely look up to them.

JF: Do you have a particular maxim or quote that you try to live by?

DW: I like the passage at Isaiah 40:30-31 that says, "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

JF: Do you have a favorite pro or college sports team?

DW: I'm all about them Dallas Cowboys!

JF: Off the field, what do you enjoy doing in your downtime?

DW: I like to power lift, play guitar and just hang around with friends.

JF: As radio personalities, we're always curious what people listen to. What are your favorite songs or artists playing on your iPod these days?

DW: I listen to a lot of country and rock. Alan Jackson, Eric Church, Tool, Staind, bands like that.

JF: On or off the field, what is your proudest moment?

DW: Just getting moved up to varsity period was probably my proudest moment. It was the best feeling ever knowing that I'd be playing on Friday nights from now on.

JF: This week, the Dragons are up against Queen City. Have you played against them before? What challenges do you think you might face on the field this week?

DW: As long as we go out and execute we should dominate this game. I think our hardest challenge will be shutting down their offense.

JF: If you could send a special shout out to anyone, who would it be and what would you say?

DW: I'd send a shout out to all the linemen this year for getting the job done. Without them, our team would be useless.

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