Athlete Spotlight: James Wood Tennis Player Katie Schott

Posted: April 29, 2014

James Wood High School 17-year-old junior

Sport: Tennis

Position: No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles

Parents: Sherry and Tim Schott

Hometown: Winchester

Twitter handle: @KaySchott

What do you love about tennis: It’s fun, and I get to play with my friends. And I love my coach and my doubles partner (Allie Cooper).

Biggest strength and weakness in tennis: [Strength] my backhand and net play. I just started playing when I was a freshman, and I’ve always been good with the backhand. And I think playing at the net is a lot of fun. [Weakness], probably my attitude sometimes.

Funniest person on the team: Myself. I just like to be really upbeat, because once you get down everybody else gets down.

Something people may not know about Coach Sharon Sweet: She is not always as serious as she comes off to be. Sometimes she acts like a little kid. Sometimes she has this little voice, kind of like a kid and a mouse mixed together.

Most memorable moment in tennis: Probably last year when me and my doubles partner almost beat Handley, but we didn’t get to finish the match. It started raining. We were playing well and had some really good shots.

Most embarrassing moment in tennis: Not in particular, but sometimes when the ball comes to you and you swing, and you totally miss it, that’s always embarrassing.

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: My great grandfather; George Washington; and Jesus. My great grandfather just because I never got to meet him and I’ve heard great things about him. George Washington because he was a good man. And Jesus because I love him.

Favorite place to eat in town: Chipotle. I like their burritos.

Pregame routine/ritual: We just warm up, run back and forth and stretch.

Plans after high school: I want to go to JMU, but I don’t know what I want to major in yet. It’s a great school and I’ve always wanted to go there.

— Compiled by Robert Niedzwiecki