Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Abby Ryan, New Trier basketball

Abby Ryan is a senior forward for the 7-5 Trevians basketball team, as well as a mid-distance (400 meters) runner for the track team.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I actually don’t have that many. I know a lot of my teammates do. Something I do every game is I wear my hair in the same hairstyle: a classic ponytail and braid. 

2. What do you hope to be doing next year? 

I definitely hope to be playing a sport in some capacity, whether on a team or intramural. Also I want to pursue something in the STEM field, maybe geophysics or astrophysics. 

3. What would be your dream job?

Something working with space. I’m not entirely sure, but I have always been fascinated with space. Something like that would be really cool. 

4. What is your favorite thing to do off the court?

Definitely listen to a lot of music, hang out with friends and my family, eat some good food — oh, and be outside whenever I can. 

5. Who is your favorite athlete?

Yeah, I do: Sydney McLaughlin. She runs the 400 as well in track. She has always been super cool. I have seen her run in the Olympics and is just someone I look up to.

6. If you played another sport, what would it be?

I think it might be lacrosse. I’ve always wanted to. The sticks just seem cool to me for some reason and also being able to truck people.

7. What is your top sports memory so far?

My sophomore year, I think it was near the end of the season when a senior, Simone Sullivan, sank a three from almost half-court. The whole bench and gym went crazy. It was amazing.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

Definitely some gummy bears — Haribo gummy bears — and maybe a Twix if I feel like it. Maybe two packs of Haribo gummy bears. 

9. What is something people do not know about you?

I actually lived in Ireland for seven years, so I guess that’s why sometimes I pronounce words differently or weird — (like) garage and pasta and yogurt. I say footpath. My friends like to make fun of me for that.

10. What can the Trevs accomplish this season?

I think our team is going to be really good. I think we can accomplish a lot. Our entire team, all the players and the bench, everyone has such potential for this team and I am super excited to see what comes next, especially with these winter tournaments (Grow the Game starting Saturday, Dec. 18, and Dundee-Crown).

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