Phillip Thompson
WEST 18 Senior
3.25 Football and wrestling
Has been accepted by nine schools, including Youngstown State and Otterbein, and is waiting to hear from Ohio State. His goal is to major in biology and become a veterinarian
What got you interested in veterinary science?
I love animals and get upset when people treat animals badly. I have an 11-year-old pit bull, Huey, an old guy who is getting hip problems. We’ve had him since I was 7 or 8 years old. He originally was my aunt’s dog. We’ve had a whole bunch of pets — a mutt called Pantera, a pit bull named Sadie, gerbils, hamsters, a rabbit and snake.
What got you into weight lifting?
I used to be obsessed with the Incredible Hulk, and I wanted that power. I started hitting the gym when I was a freshman. I didn’t focus on my core until this wrestling season. I’ve had to cut 20 pounds for wrestling.
What are you like in the weight room?
I keep to myself and power through the workout. I love to lift with my legs and get this adrenaline sensation. It’s something I’ve never felt before in any sport. I want to do this forever. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been lifting forever and he’s still walking around just fine. I’ve been to the Arnold. That’s where I met C.T. Fletcher, an internet sensation powerlifter. We took photos with him and shook hands. What is your diet like? I eat a lot of protein. On Sundays, my dad (Travis) and I cook 14 pounds of chicken — that’s 1 pound for each of us each day. I wake up in the morning and pack my chicken, fruits, nuts, any leftovers and a shake. I drink two shakes a day, and one of them has four scoops of weight-gain protein powder, milk, a banana and five eggs. I’ll have the school lunch on top of what I’m eating. Last year, I won a school award called “The Vulture” because I’m always eating.
I’m told that you’re like a big brother to teammates. Why is that?
Not everybody has been lucky enough to have the family dynamic — the upbringing — that I’ve had. I want to show these kids they don’t have to be limited in life. We’ve got seniors on our team going to college, and we want to encourage the others.
Your mother, Jammie, said she never has to worry about you. What does she mean?
I’ve been motivated in school since the summer before my sophomore year. I had decent grades my freshman year, but I knew I could do better. My junior year I got into AP English through Columbus State and AP government, and my grades shot up. I enjoyed learning and knew what I had to do to get the ball rolling to get into college. On my first college visit, I knew where I wanted to be. You work hard and it’s easy to stay on track. What classes do you take? I’m in algebra through Columbus State, an AP environmental class, English 12, music and writing.
What do you do as a teacher helper?
I report about news in school with a video every Friday. I’m doing a social spotlight this week about myself, and I record what happens during the day. I think I’m a pretty good video editor.