Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight

Parents’ names: Danyelle & Jeremiah Pierquet
Siblings: Lauren Pierquet
Position or events: 400M & 800M
Instagram: @jpierq

Career Highlight: I wouldn’t say I have a specific highlight in my career as a Highschool athlete, but it’s always fun watching my times drop and my work pay off.

How did you get started playing your sport(s)?
I had come into Highschool wanting to find a place/group of people to belong in. I honestly had never really done a sport or considered myself an athlete, but ended up joining the Cross Country team going into 9th grade because I knew I wasn’t coordinated enough to do volleyball. The team was incredibly welcoming and felt like family. That’s why I stayed and that’s what I hope to foster now as a senior on both teams.

How has the balance between academics and athletics changed for you from freshman to senior year?
I have become significantly more involved as I became both track and cross country team captain, however I don’t find myself struggling to find the correct balance between the two.

What is your favorite part of this sport?
Trying new events, pushing myself to my absolute limits, and gaining mental tenacity to do better and be better.

What is the most challenging part of this sport?
Learning to not compare yourself to other runners, it’s a pretty individual sport, but it makes it super easy to find yourself feeling inferior. Though at the end of the day it’s just you vs yourself.

What has been your most memorable experience in high school sports so far?

Winning the mixed 4x4 at conference relays last year.

Do you have a bucket list goal that pertains to your sport?
Track and Field has given me a love for running, not only fast and in circles, but for longer distances as well. I hope to run a marathon and eventually transition over to ultramarathon running for my future running goals.

Do you have any pre-game rituals/routines/superstitions?
Always gotta circle my hips a few times, it most definitely looks weird but I swear it works for some reason. Otherwise I usually need a hug from teammate or coach.

Dream vacation destination?
Argentina or Ecuador.

Favorite food?
Most definitely raw carrots, I have them almost every day. Otherwise I’m an enormous fan of watermelon radishes.

Random fun fact about you?

I can’t burp for some reason, I’m not sure if that pertains as a fun fact. Otherwise I usually have 8 toenails instead of the regular 10.

Any hobbies outside of your sport?
I really enjoy spending time in my hammock during the summers, hiking, and snowboarding

Favorite movie/TV show?
I don’t watch TV shows or movies that often but I LOVE watching ABC World News with David Muir or CBS Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley.

Looking forward to graduating?
Absolutely! I’ve made lots of fantastic memories at Southwest, but I’m excited to be in a new place surrounded by new people and really challenge myself in college.

Any summer plans before going off to college/work?
I’ll be working a bunch as a lifeguard at Resch Aquatic Center this summer, going on a few backpacking trips and training for a marathon.

Any memorable coaches or teammates you’d like to shout out?

I’d like to shout out my two coaches Ben Kubicki and Ben Rayome. Otherwise referred to as Ben^2. They have only ever been supportive of me and have pushed me to become the athlete I am today. They genuinely make running so fun, and foster a phenomenal environment for our team. I couldn’t be more lucky or thankful to be able to call them my coaches.

Future Plans? (college, major, career, etc.)
I will be attending Michigan Technological University, in Houghton, Mich., and majoring in Environmental Engineering, and minoring in ecological engineering.