Dennis Semrau, ESPN Wisconsin 5y

Prep Mania profile: Austin Westra

Dennis Semrau covers prep sports for 100.5  ESPN and ESPNWisconsin.com. 

Austin Westra, DeForest High School

Year: Senior.

Sports: Basketball, soccer.

Sports highlights: Austin is a three-time letterwinner and a two-year starter as a forward in basketball and is a two-time team co-captain as a junior and senior. He , he earned Badger North Conference first-team honors and was named the Norskies’ Most Valuable Player as a junior when he averaged 16.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. He earned all-league honorable mention recognition as a sophomore.

He is a four-time letterwinner and a three-year starter in soccer as a goalkeeper. A team co-captain as a junior and senior, he is a three-time All-Badger North Conference first-team selection. He earned All-Area honors as a senior.

Pre-game ritual or superstition: Listen to 7 nation army.

Cumulative GPA: 3.8.

Favorite subject/class: Advanced Accounting.

Favorite teacher: David Haas.

Quick quote: “Competing in sports has taught me to always go 100 percent. You may not be able to the next day.”

Three words to describe me are: Poised, dedicated, leader.

I got my start in sports:  Playing youth soccer and basketball.

I wish I could play: Football.

My most memorable moments in sports: Beating a very high-ranked Onalaska team.

I like about high school sports: Playing with all of the boys.

I enjoy playing basketball because: It is a fast-paced game along with thinking on the fly. It makes you get out of your comfort zone to solve the problem at hand.

Advice: “Work hard in the off-season.”

My role model is: My grandfather, Jerry Westra.

Most inspirational teammate: Brodie Runez, who pushed me in every practice and taught me what I should do to be a good leader on and off the floor.

My family includes: My mother, Kerry, father, Steve, brother, Brandon, and sister, Amber.

Nickname: Big Body

Words to live by: “Pain is temporary, glory lasts forever.”

Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan.

Favorite team: Milwaukee Bucks.

Favorite opponent: Waunakee.

Favorite facility/site to compete in: Iowa State practice facility.

Favorite movie: ‘Baby Driver’.

Favorite TV show: ‘Big Bang Theory’.

Favorite food: Fondue.

Favorite fast food place and/or restaurant: TGI Fridays.

Favorite sport on TV: NBA.

Favorite place to visit: Florida.

I want to visit: Australia.

Favorite Songs: ‘Eye of the Tiger’; ‘Thrift Shop’; ‘Seven Nation Army’.

Primary news source: ESPN.

Favorite website: ESPN.com.

I drive: A Ford Fusion.

Dream car: A Lamborghini.

I can’t live without: My family.

I like DeForest High School because: It’s easy.

If I could change anything: I would end world hunger.

I wish we could play: Spire Academy.

I wish I could meet: Adam Sandler.

Dream gift: A Lamborghini.

Preferred brand of shoe: Nike.

My perfect day: Play in a huge basketball tournament with great guys.

This and that: Member of National Honor Society … work at Walgreens … volunteer at basketball and soccer camps for the youth in the summer … volunteer work also includes local Blood Drive and helping out at Windsor United Church of Christ … played AAU basketball for two years with Wisconsin Hoops Select and two years with Wisconsin Swing programs … played youth soccer with Norski Club program … earned High Honors throughout high school.

Hobbies: Magic, playing basketball

Post-high school plans: Attend college to study either Accounting or Physical Therapy and play basketball.

Did you know? I like apple sauce on my pizza.

Career goal: Eventually be able to own my own business.

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