Athlete Spotlight: James Wood volleyball player Jessica Putnam

By ROBERT NIEDZWIECKI The Winchester Star

Sep 11, 2018

James Wood 17-year-old senior

Sport: Volleyball. Position: Outside hitter

Parents: Laurie and Stuart Putnam

Hometown: Winchester

What do you love about volleyball: Just seeing your teammates all the time, whether it’s school, practice, or games. Just being together and having really close friends, who are almost like family, is what I love.

Most memorable moment in volleyball: Two years ago, there was a ball that just trickled over the net, and I pancaked it. It was when Megan Hillyard was the setter, and she kicked it over the net. The other team let it hit the floor because they thought you couldn’t do that, and we got that point because they stopped playing. Every time for her birthday, that’s what I post [on social media].

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: Russ Rose, the head volleyball coach at Penn State; they’ve won so many championships, it’s crazy. He’s an amazing coach. He’s so calm, and he really gets along with all of his players. He really understands the game. Haleigh Washington; she was a senior last year at Penn State and was the middle [hitter]. I went to a Penn State camp, and she’s the funniest thing. She loves to have fun. She loves everybody on her team, and she’s an amazing player. And my grandma on my mom’s side, Fanny Irwin; she passed away a couple of years ago. I was pretty close with her, and I didn’t have as long with her as my sister did. I would love for her to see everything that’s happened in my life.

What’s the best sports advice you’ve ever received: Just a collection of things my parents say. My dad does film [of the matches] for the school, and he’s filmed for travel [volleyball]. When I come home he gives me pointers and helps me with my swing. We’d go in the backyard and work on it to where we got it where I wanted it.

If you could go on a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go: The Bahamas. I’ve been there before. We went to Atlantis, and it was beautiful. The water is beautiful, and the sand is perfect. I want to explore all the islands.

Favorite teacher: Probably Mrs. [Suzanne] Miller when I was at Frederick County Middle School. She was my English teacher. She never had a bad day. She was just bouncing off the walls all the time. She had great energy and just loved everybody.

Favorite athlete: Haleigh Washington

Favorite team: Virginia Tech athletics

Favorite movie: “I Am Legend”

Favorite TV show: “The Walking Dead”

Favorite song: “American Kids” by Kenny Chesney

Favorite food: Steak

Plans after high school: I got a scholarship to the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. I plan to go there and major in biology, and then go to [Virginia] Tech for a four-year program for vet science and become a veterinarian. Ever since I started taking bio classes, being a vet has really interested me. I felt comfortable with it, and it just felt like it would be something I would enjoy doing every day.