Athletes unplugged: 10 questions with South Salem quarterback Athan Palmateer
South Salem High School senior quarterback Athan Palmateer is having a huge season for the 6-0 Saxons.
Palmateer has thrown for 21 touchdowns and rushed for six more.
South Salem has three games remaining this season as they try to make a return trip to the OSAA Class 6A state championship playoff bracket.
Here are 10 questions with Palmateer.
1: How good can South Salem football be this season?
“If we continue to execute and minimize mistakes, I don’t think that there is a team we can’t beat.”
2: What do you love most about football compared to other sports?
“Football has given me so many great memories, and some of my closest friends, even guys that I don’t go to school with. I love the family aspect of the game.”
3: What is your pregame routine?
“I always listen to the same two playlists before the game, one a few hours earlier to keep me calm and one as I get closer to kickoff that’s more high-energy. I also try to visualize before games, usually the night before.”
4: Who is your favorite pro athlete of all time?
“It feels weird to say after the recent trade news, but I’m a big Damian Lillard fan. I grew up a Blazers fan, and he’s such a confident and clutch player.”
5: What, if anything, would you change about high school sports?
“I would love if we could get more of the community involved. The most fun games are when the stands are packed, and the more people we have at games the better.”
6: What are some things you would like to study in college?
“I want to study international relations/politics, and I’ve always been interested in different cultures, and how people from across the world interact.”
7: Which musical artist or group is your favorite?
“I would have to say J. Cole. I think he’s a great musician and producer, and I’ve always enjoyed his music.”
8: If you could meet one famous person, not an athlete, who would it be?
“This summer I went to Philadelphia for the UPenn football camp, and while in the city, I learned a ton about Benjamin Franklin. I didn’t know how many different innovations he was responsible for, and I think it would be super interesting to talk to him.”
9: What would be your dream car or truck?
“I really like Porsches, so that would be my dream car.”
10: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
“I’ve spent a lot of time in Montana, and I love the outdoors.”
Statesman Journal reporter Pete Martini covers college and high school sports. He can be reached at pmartini@StatesmanJournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: South Salem High quarterback Athan Palmateer answers 10 questions
