Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight

Parents’ names: Janel and Ed Riha
Siblings: Braxton Riha
Position or events: I played outside hitter in Volleyball, I am a forward in basketball and I play 3B, SS and I pitch in softball.
Career highlight: Winning regionals against Valders in basketball my junior year.

At what age did you start playing your sport(s)?

I started playing basketball and volleyball in third grade and i started playing softball in first grade.

Who introduced you to your sport(s)?
Watching my brother play sports when we were younger inspired me to start playing as well.

What is your favorite sport?
Softball is my favorite sport.

How has balancing academics and athletics been different for you from your freshman year to your senior year?
During my freshman year, I didn’t have any challenging classes so it wasn’t that difficult to balance both athletics and academics, but the shift from middle school to high school made it a challenge. Now currently in my senior year, I’ve been battling a meniscus tear and recovering from that makes balancing more challenging classes and athletics harder than other years.

What is your favorite part about your sport(s)? What about it has caused you to stick with it for this long?
My favorite part about participating in my sports is the energy and adrenaline that you get from it. My teammates have been a big reason that I have stuck with sports throughout my high school years and I am forever grateful for all of them.

Is there a professional athlete you look up to? If so, who?

I don’t really look up to a professional athlete as much as I do to my brother. Trying to follow in his footsteps has been an exciting part of my life.

What would you say is your biggest asset on the court?
I think my biggest asset on the court is being able to talk to my teammates no matter what the situation is, whether that is congratulating them on an exciting part of the game or when times get tough and we are losing, being able to pick them up.

What has been your most memorable experience in high school sports so far?
Winning conference back to back years has been an exciting experience.

How does it feel as a senior, to look back throughout high school and see your growth (as a person and athlete)?
Looking back throughout high school at my growth has been a blessing that I am grateful to be able to look back at for the rest of my life.

Do you have any pre-game rituals/routines/superstitions?
My pre-game ritual is going to Gabby’s house and watching either a movie or ASMR videos on Youtube. Eating pizza whether that is from Subway or from our fundraisers is something that us girls do.

Do you take any extra steps to prepare for a big game, outside of regular training?

I lift every morning except for on game days to let my body rest and prepare for games.

What has been your favorite experience with being a senior this year?
My favorite experience from being a senior this year is mentoring the underclassmen and giving them tips about high school. Being a senior also means that you are expected to be a leader and I think that is very important and exciting having people look up to you.

Any memorable coaches or teammates you’d like to give a shout out to?
All of my teammates that I have been given the opportunity to play with in all of my sports have made me the athlete that I am today and I am grateful for every one of them. I would like to thank Jenna Rohr for taking me under her wing during softball my freshman and sophomore year. I would also like to give a shoutout to one of my coaches, Kiley Heim. She has been with me since sixth grade and she made sure my confidence is always where it needs to be.

Any hobbies outside of sports?
I enjoy getting food with my friends and spending time with them. Golfing and swimming in the summer time are also hobbies that I enjoy.

Favorite food?
My dad’s tacos or a Crunchwrap Supreme with no tomatoes or sour cream from Taco Bell.

Favorite movie/TV show?

“Hangover 3.”

Future plans? (college, major, career, etc.)
I plan to attend Wisconsin Lutheran College to play softball and major in business management.