Sydney Bendtsen is a senior basketball player for the Southland girls basketball team.

Q: How did you originally get into your sport?

A: My family has always been involved in basketball. All three of my siblings played it, and my dad coached, so it was kind of a given for me to play it and love it.

Q: What’s your favorite sports memory?

A: Having my dad as my coach, especially my senior year. Also, making friendships with my teammates and players from other teams.

Q: What have you learned from playing sports?

A: Basketball has taught me so many life lessons such as perseverance, confidence, and teamwork, but the biggest thing I have learned is that I can’t expect myself to all of the sudden achieve my goals, but I need to put in the time and effort to make goals achievable.

Q: What is the hardest part about your sport?

A: It is so hard to forget about mistakes and not focus on the negative aspects of my play or the teams play in a game. We need to use our mistakes as an opportunities to improve instead of dwelling on them.

Q: Who is your biggest sports role model and why?

A: Both my dad and my sister, Corbyn. My sister tore both of her ACLs in her high school career, but she didn’t let it stop her. My dad is the most honest, hard-working, and determined coach I have ever had. I am almost positive that he would be my role-model even if he wasn’t my dad.

Q: What is your favorite movie or TV show?

A: The Little Mermaid. I know it’s for 5-year-olds, but it’s the best!

Q: What is your favorite subject in school?

A: Definitely math, but I strongly dislike word problems.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: My dream job would be piano player on the Carrie Underwood tour.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Chicken Nuggets with Sweet & Sour sauce.

Q: What are your plans after high school?

A: Attend Winona State University to study Psychology.

Q: What’s a fun fact about you or hobby you enjoy most people don’t know about?

A:  I love cats (I usually have between 10 to 15 outside of course). I also don’t like the smell of fresh flowers.

Q: What are your top three pump songs before a big game?

A: “Light Em Up By” by Fall Out Boy, “Confident” by Demi Lovato and “Geronimo” by Sheppard.

Q: What are your top three guilty pleasure songs?

A: “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners, “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker and “Wings” by Little Mix.