Athlete Profile: Reese Rogowski

WITTENBERG — The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School girls basketball team didn’t have a deep roster, relying primarily on its five starters and just a couple players off the bench. Freshman Reese Rogowski was a starter for the team.

Rogowski averaged about five points per game for Witt-Birn, which won a Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division title and advanced to a Division 3 regional final before being eliminated.

The freshman guard also was a strong defender for the team.

“Reese knows the game and is a great listener during the game,” said Witt-Birn coach Nick Mechelke. “She wants to know how to improve her game at any moment.

“She worked her way into a starting role in the beginning of the season because of how hard she plays. She can handle the ball fairly well, and she’s only going to get better at it. In the game, she usually is guarding one of their top scorers or their fastest player, because I know she will accept the challenge. She is just one of those players.”

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: My interest in basketball began at a young age. My parents (Beth and Garrett) always took me to the gym when I was really little.

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

A: My favorite part is playing with my teammates during the game, especially when it’s really close and competitive.

Q: What does the game of basketball mean to you?

A: It means to be a part of the team and to work hard through the experience.

Q: When you step on the court, what do you hope to accomplish?

A: I hope to be as impactful as I can and do what is asked of me to the best of my ability.

Q: Your team enjoyed a really strong season on the court and you played a big role in that as a freshman. What made this year’s girls basketball team so special?

A: This year’s girls basketball team was so special because we didn’t really have a lot of girls on the bench, so we all got a lot of playing time, which helped us become closer on and off the floor.

Q: Your team also won the Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division. What was that experience like for you?

A: It was very exciting because that was one of the big goals we all worked together to accomplish this year.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: TV show — “The Bachelorette.” Movie — “Step Brothers.” Musical artist — Post Malone.

Q: Who is your favorite athlete and why?

A: I don’t really have a specific athlete, but I enjoy watching all great athletes in their sport.

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

A: I am not a morning person.

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

A: I like to travel a lot.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: Success takes a year round effort.

Q: You have a couple years left in high school. Do you have any goals you’d like to accomplish athletically by the time you graduate?

A: A goal I would like to accomplish is to make it to state in all three sports (basketball, volleyball and track and field).

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Reese Rogowski

Sport: Girls basketball

Position: Point guard/shooting guard

School: Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School

Year: Freshman