{"id":15903,"date":"2016-01-13T23:48:16","date_gmt":"2016-01-13T23:48:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/independentweekender.com\/?p=15903"},"modified":"2016-01-13T23:48:16","modified_gmt":"2016-01-13T23:48:16","slug":"student-athlete-of-the-week-austin-harper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenstreetdata.com\/PS\/2016\/01\/13\/student-athlete-of-the-week-austin-harper\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Athlete of the Week- Austin Harper"},"content":{"rendered":"

BY HEIDI ZENEFSKI<\/strong>
\n Correspondent<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"AUSTIN<\/a>

AUSTIN HARPER<\/p><\/div>\n

Blue Ridge senior Austin Harper is the Independent\u2019s Student Athlete of the Week.<\/p>\n

Harper started playing basketball in elementary school, like many players in Susquehanna County. \u201cIn 6th grade, I wanted to try something new so I played basketball. At first, it seemed logical because I was tall, but then as I started playing and the season went on, I fell in love with the sport,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve had some interruptions with injuries within those years but when I’m able to, I’m playing.\u201d he said, noting time he hasn\u2019t been physically able to play in past seasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to basketball, I enjoy the constant movement. You always have to be on your toes, whether it be on defense, offense or even on the bench. You always need to be aware of the ball and the players around you,\u201d Harper said. \u201cI also love the adrenaline rush I get on the court. My heart starts racing, and it feels like the only thing that matters is my team, me, and our game.\u201d<\/p>\n

That kind of intensity has helped Harper to be a team leader and makes him valuable to his coach, Casey Jenkins and his Blue Ridge teammates.<\/p>\n

The Raiders won their first couple of games, but have struggled in division play, dropping the first two league games. But that hasn\u2019t discouraged Harper one bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis season, the team is starting to come together,\u201d he said. \u201cWe only lost two seniors last season, so there is a handful of us with varsity experience. We mesh well as a team; and we have the connection it takes to be good. Just like all teams, we still have things we need to work on, but once we get all the pieces together, it’ll all fall in place for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aside from basketball, Harper keeps busy at Blue Ridge by participating in SADD and he is involved with journalism as the sports editor of the Raider Reader.<\/p>\n

His dedication to his school and classmates doesn\u2019t end there. \u201cI also enjoy cheering on our school\u2019s other sports teams and showing my spirit.
\nOutside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends I love to cook and play guitar. I also enjoy public speaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

He works hard in the classroom and on the court and has been recognized for his efforts. \u201cI’ve received high honors in school along with Senior of the Month recognition in October. I was also selected for the all-tournament team of the Susquehanna County (Christmas) Tournament at Susquehanna High School.\u201d<\/p>\n

He plans to major in biology in college and hopes to become a physical therapist with his own practice someday.<\/p>\n

He names his parents, James Harper and Sherri Rosa of Hallstead and their unconditional support and love serve as his biggest inspiration.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents inspire me the most. They have always been there supporting me. Even when I feel like I have had a bad game they always tell me they are proud of me,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that the fact that they feel the need to keep me happy and will do anything to do so, inspires me to do better the make them proud.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BY HEIDI ZENEFSKI Correspondent Blue Ridge senior Austin Harper is the Independent\u2019s Student Athlete of the Week. 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