Athlete Profile: Andrew Popp

The Shawano Community High School baseball team enjoyed a strong 2021 season and is off to another impressive start this spring. Senior Andrew Popp has played a big part in the team’s success during that span.

As a junior in 2021, Popp helped the Hawks place second in the Bay Conference and was named to the all-conference first team. Through May 1 of this year, Shawano has had just one loss.

Popp helped the team to a nonconference win over Antigo on April 28 when he drove in four runs on three hits. He drove in a run in both games of a Bay doubleheader sweep over Xavier on April 23.

The senior earned the won on the mound when Shawano topped West De Pere on April 21. He allowed only one run across five innings.

Popp came on in relief and stranded a pair of baserunners to help preserve a tight conference win over Menasha back on April 18. He picked up the win on the hill in a Bay win over New London on April 11, allowing just one run over four innings.

Q: When did your interest in baseball begin?

A: When I was about 4 years old, my dad (Justin) started to teach me how to throw and hit, and that’s when my interest began.

Q: What is your favorite part about the baseball season?

A: There’s lots of stuff I love about baseball, but I’d say my favorite part of the season is the middle of the year when I start to get into my groove and I feel that everything starts to come together.

Q: What has the game of baseball taught you over the years?

A: It’s taught me how to deal with my emotions and also how to clear my mind. It’s also taught me how to get people like my teammates excited. I’ve also learned how to rise up to occasions.

Q: What is your favorite position to play on the diamond and why?

A: Pitching for sure, because I like to screw around with the batters and people on the bases. Also I’m always doing something, so I’m never bored.

Q: How did playing football and competing on the wrestling team get you ready for the baseball season?

A: Both sports helped keep me in good shape for the baseball season. Both sports kept me in the weight room so I could get stronger.

Q: After you turned in a strong junior season, what things do you want to individually accomplish this spring?

A: I’d like to become a better pitcher this year and throw a lot more strikes than I did last year. I’d also like to be a lot more selective at the plate and take more walks this year instead of swinging at bad pitches.

Q: Before a game starts, do you or the team have any routines or rituals you go through?

A: Me and Zac Jurmu talk like pirates and argue over which one of us has scurvy. We also talk about our golden dabloons.

Q: What are the keys to success for your team as the season winds down and postseason play begins?

A: The main key to success is making sure everyone is still having fun playing baseball. We play a lot better when we have good energy and are just overall enjoying playing. We also have to not get complacent at practice.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Shawano baseball team?

A: I’m not really sure, to be honest. I have a lot of great memories associated with baseball. One of my favorite memories though is when we beat West De Pere for the first time in a long time this year. That win really felt good.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show and musical artist?

A: Movie — “American Psycho.” TV show — “Mob Psycho 100.” Music artist — Lil Seeto.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: I love to bridge and cliff jump, and I once jumped off a 70-foot cliff in the Dells.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: I hope to play baseball in college, find a good job and learn how to do a double back flip on a trampoline.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Andrew Popp

Sport: Baseball

Positions: Outfield, pitcher

School: Shawano Community High School

Year: Senior