GC’s Williams inks to play football at Bethany College
CT:
What has been your best memory as an athlete at Gordon Central?
FLEMING:
Obviously, I will go with going to State in basketball first. That’s my best memory ever out of any sport. Nothing will ever replace that. Just that feeling that you get was special. We knew we deserved this. We had to work for it. The happiness we felt on the court when we won against Armuchee to clinch going to State is indescribable. There’s a picture that someone took of us right at the end of the game celebrating and jumping up and down, and that shows how we felt more than words can.
CT:
How hard is it juggling playing three sports, school and everything else?
It’s hard. I thought as a freshman, ‘hey, I’m going to take these AP classes or take a college course.’ I was like let’s do this. That’s when I started realizing juggling sports, academics, getting a job and stress in general was a lot of work. But that’s when your family and friends come in and play a huge role. Most of my friends were going through the same things. We always made sure to help each other out and also put some time to the side to just relax sometimes. Now, my senior year, I thought it was going to be a breeze and I would have everything done, but it’s still tough. I’m used to it now, though. I know how to manage my time for school, sports and work. My senior year is flying by so fast, but I know that doing all this will prepare me better for college and for life. You learn how to set time aside for everything you need to do and be responsible. But I still have fun, and that’s what sports really brings for me is fun.
FLEMING: CT:
Which one of your coaches has had the biggest influence on you and why?
I’ve had so many coaches, and they all give you a piece that helps you and something you can take with you. Coach Swanson will forever give me the drive to know that whatev-
FLEMING:
er I go through, I can do it. He related to us and knew what we were going through. He helped me so much. And I know Coach Hopper isn’t here now, but he told us after he left that he would always be there for us. Just having someone that was so hard on us and pushed us to strive for the best will forever help me in life. He taught me to never give up no matter how hard it was or how tired I was. Both of them were really important to me.
CT:
Who is an athlete you admire or try to model yourself after?
FLEMING:
I’m going to use an athlete here, Ruby Deras. She is my best friend, and she does cross country and track, soccer, has a job and takes the same college classes I’m taking. I know she has a stricter home life than mine. Even if she doesn’t know it, I’ve always looked up to her because she never complains. She stays humble and positive and looks for the brighter side in everything. I know I can be so pessimistic sometimes, and her optimism helps me so much. She is also so patient, and I have no patience. Ruby really pushes me to be a better person, and I think she always will. We’re going to the Army together, and I know she’s going to continue to push me even if she doesn’t realize she does.
CT:
What are your plans for after high school?
June 4 I will be leaving for Basic Training for nine weeks, and after that I’ll go to AIT schooling for my specific job for about six months. I’ve already been accepting to UIC in Chicago, and I plan on going there in January. My hope is to go into Pre-Medicine. My major will probably be chemistry. I’ve decided that I want to do two years there and then transfer to Cal-Berkeley to go through med school. I will be in the Army Reserves during all that, and then I plan on re-signing with the Army and going on active duty to be an officer and a doctor.
FLEMING: