Athlete Profile: Grace Wickman

GILLETT — With no high school sports in action, athletes are missing various aspects that the activities bring. Gillett High School thrower Grace Wickman misses being able to interact with her teammates and throwers from opposing teams.

Being a senior, Wickman was about to take part in her last high school sport. She had high hopes for final season.

Wickman just missed out on qualifying for sectionals in discus last year after a fifth-place finish at regionals. The Gillett thrower placed third in the event at the Marinette and Oconto Conference Meet and came in seventh in the shot put.

Q: When did your interest in track and field begin?

A: In middle school. I looked up to the high schoolers and I was like “Oh, that looks fun.” I tried out and ended up liking it. All the high schoolers ended up taking me under their wings.

Q: What is your favorite part about the track and field season?

A: Probably socializing with all the other teams. Throwing with Karissa (Schaal), her and I always ended up talking to other schools. We kind of all had fun together even though we are supposed to be throwing.

Q: You are a three-sport athlete but were about to participate in your last high school sport. With the coronavirus at least postponing the season and potentially knocking it out completely, how would it make you feel if you weren’t able to compete this spring?

A: I’ve thought about it a lot. I’m really sad about it just because it’s my senior year. Now I might not get the chance to throw with my friends again, talk to everyone, have a chance to get to sectionals or state — which I’ve always been close with things and I wanted to try and break through this year. But if it can’t happen, it’s just going to suck.

Q: With no official ruling on spring sports yet, how are you staying prepared should the season start up at some point?

A: I’m still trying to stay in shape. I have discs and shot puts at home if I want to practice with them and I have a whole field to chuck it wherever I want — not living in the city. I’m still in contact with the throwers online.

Q: What have these last couple of weeks been like, as you are approaching high school graduation but are now not even at school?

A: Hectic. Like all the other seniors that are in sports, they’re missing out on other stuff also, like senior prom. Even some of the classes, they weren’t going to give me credits for college classes.

It’s just hard because I’m also a very social person and I need to be around a lot of people. Just sitting at home is hard.

Q: While it’s tough to find a lot of positive impacts of the coronavirus, is there any life lessons that you can learn from this kind of adversity?

A: To enjoy it while it lasts probably and just try to capture every moment because it might also be the last.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Gillett track and field team?

A: There’s a lot of crazy ones. When we used to have Bo Krueger at our school and we (the throwers) used to chuck the discs at them and they would try to catch them, or get hit. It was a little challenge, even though it’s not smart.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: TV show — “The Vampire Diaries.” Movie — “Aquaman.” Musical artist — Oh gosh, I like everything. Country (genre).

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

A: I don’t know, I’m an open book.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?

A: Video games, movies and then going for walks with my family.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Grace Wickman

Sport: Track and field

Events: Shot put, discus

School: Gillett High School

Year: Senior