TENNERTON — In continuing to bring you the best sports coverage in Upshur County, the My Buckhannon sports department is pleased to bring you yet another exclusive feature — Raising the Jolly Roger With….

In ‘Raising the Jolly Roger With…’ the My Buckhannon sports department will interview a senior student-athlete from Buckhannon-Upshur to get to know them better and what makes them tick both on and off the field.

Our student-athlete this week is Olivia Ellis …enjoy!

1. Please list all the sports you have played at B-U and what year you played them?

I played basketball all four years of high school and soccer my freshman, sophomore and junior years.

2. What has been your favorite athletic moment at Buckhannon-Upshur that you participated in?

We took an overnight trip to California, Pennsylvania just last week for basketball and it was a great experience. It gave us the opportunity to see what the state tournament will be like, playing late one night and early the next day. Just being able to hang out with my teammates and win both games was a lot of fun.

3. Describe your toughest practice at Buckhannon-Upshur. What sport and who was the coach?

My toughest practice I’ve experienced would probably be soccer freshman year, when we had to run a cooper in 12 minutes, on what felt like the hottest day of the year, to be eligible to play varsity.

4. Do you have a favorite saying from one of your head coaches?

My favorite saying would definitely be from coach (Rob) Kittle, “You can’t play basketball as five individuals; you have to play as one,” which means you can’t care who scores the most points or has the most assists or rebounds during the game — everybody has to play their role in order to win and that’s what matters most.

5. What was or is your favorite class you have taken at Buckhannon-Upshur and who taught it? Why was it your favorite?

Mrs. Wager’s crafts class would have to be my favorite class I’ve taken. It was my favorite because we always had a variety of projects, and there was never a dull time with Mrs. Wager.

6. What is your favorite thing about being a Buccaneer?

My favorite thing about being a Buccaneer is having a community that supports each other endlessly. The teammates, teachers, fans, parents … they all want to see us succeed.

7. If you were asked to play another sport, what would it be and why?

Probably tennis, I was quite the Wii tennis player back in the day.

8. Who is your hero and why?

My mom is my hero. She is the most selfless and caring person I know. She puts everyone’s needs before her own and always goes out of her way to make others happy. I couldn’t ask for a better role model and I can only dream to be half the woman she is one day.

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be an insurance agent and work with my parents.

10. What are your initial plans after graduation this spring?

I am planning to attend West Virginia University in the fall and major in business.

11. What question do you hate to answer?

Where do you want to eat?

12. Who is the best athlete in your family? 

Definitely a close contest between my dad and my Aunt Kelley.

13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot? If so, where?

I love going to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. My family and I have been going since I was a little girl.

14. What is your favorite food and one thing you won’t eat.

Chicken tenders are for sure my favorite food. I could eat them for every meal of the day. One thing I hate is mayonnaise. I will scrape the mayonnaise off of a sandwich before I even consider eating it.

15. What advice would you give to a young athlete ready to start his/her time as a Buccaneer?

Make the most of it and don’t take anything for granted. The best memories are made on those late bus rides with teammates, Friday night football games and 8 a.m. practices. I wouldn’t trade the friendships and memories I’ve made as a Buccaneer for the world. Take in every moment of it because it really does fly by.