Meet the Class of 2020 Spring Athletes: John Erik Tomedolskey
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Baseball, Colleton Prep Academy
Son of Mark and Terri Tomedolskey of Walterboro Position: Second base. Planning to play in college? Not currently. GPA: 4.37 Future aspirations? University of South Carolina Columbia (Gateway Program) Intended field of study? Marine science Career Interest? A wildlife biologist. Ideally, I would like to go to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). By getting a “formal” education, I hope to work directly in the field to study, protect and manage our environment. If our ecosystem is not properly taken care of, it can upset the world we know — and then where would we be? Academic Honors: National Honor Society Athletic Honors: Team Captain – War Hawk Basketball (2020); No Surrender Award – War Hawk Basketball (2019); All-Tournament Team (Christmas, 2019). What other sports have you played? Football, basketball, golf, and soccer.
At what age did you begin playing baseball? I started playing T-Ball at age four and played baseball every year since except for my junior year when I focused on golf. What one word describes you? Straight-forward. Who was your favorite teacher and why? Mrs. Valerie Murdaugh taught me to be a good student, kept me on track and helped me fine-tune my listening skills. I am grateful to have had her as my teacher. How has athletics made you a better student? Athletics have taught me to be a better student by showing me hard work pays off. Just like in sports, put in the practice/work and the good grades will follow. Fondest memory in your athletic career? The memory that comes to mind is in my minor league rec ball game when I got the last three outs at first base to win the championship game. If your high school athletic career were a movie, what one song would be on the soundtrack? “You’re the Best Around” (from The Karate Kid) — I have always found this inspirational. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? Think positive. Problems are opportunities. If you could ask our President one question, what would it be? What is the coolest thing about being President? Sports hero? My sports heroes are probably Roberto Clemente and Shoeless Joe Jackson. Favorite thing about self-distancing during COVID-19? Being away from everything and just getting time to myself. Top-5 must haves while self-distancing? My must haves are food, a good show to watch, Dr. Pepper, a comfortable space and a fishing pole. It is Senior Night. Ready, set, go. Do not sweat the small stuff. Show respect. Passed down from other seniors: Keep your fork, the best is yet to come!
