SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Brondson Etienne, Key West

Q: How long have you been playing your sports?

A: I started football when I was 7, I started basketball in eighth grade and played on JV in high school but I missed last year and am coming back my senior year, then I have run track since my freshman year.

Q: Did you play any other sports growing up?

A: No just those.

Q: So it was primarily football growing up?

A: Yes.

Q: What was it about football that drew your attention?

A: I was inspired by Odel Beckham and his one-handed catch caught my eye.

Q: Why try basketball again during your senior year?

A: I only played basketball because I was tall, but I have come back because it’s my last year.

Q: With three sports, how much training do you do per day or week on a yearly basis?

A: A lot. My main focus is still football, but track is part of it because I’m trying to make it to states in the javelin.

Q: Do you have downtime away from sports?

A: On Sundays.

Q: Would you have it any other way?

A: No.

Q: Playing three sports, do you really have an offseason for any of them?

A: In the summer.

Q: How does your training differ when you are in the season compared to the offseason?

A: I’m more focused in-season because there’s more pressure, especially being my last year with coaches coming down to look at us.

Q: Rating the sports you play versus academics, which is more important in your life?

A: They are both important, but I just like sports more.

Q: Are sports and academics close in ranking in life importance?

A: No.

Q: What skills do sports teach you that you apply to life?

A: Work hard, stay focused, and keep it consistent.

Q: What goals do you have for your senior year, academically and/or athletically?

A: To go Division-I.

Q: What are your personal dreams?

A: To make a lot of money.

Q: What has been your best high school sports moment?

A: Making it to regional this past year for the high jump.

Q: Any coaches, teachers, or family members who have helped you reach this point?

A: Yeah, coach (Dave) Perkins and coach (Johnny) Hughes, and my cousins, but mainly coach Perkins.

Q: What advice would you give to the next generation of Conchs?

A: Be confident, confidence will take you a long way.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?

A: Stay focused and don’t let other people bring you down.

Q: Having invested so much time — physically, mentally, and emotionally — in your sports, how can you have proper closure during your senior year?

A: I already know I’m a more confident person through all this, so I’ll be happy knowing I put so much into my sports.

Q: Anywhere in the world you want to visit?

A: France because I have family from there.

Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of sports?

A: I do some gaming.

Q: What are some challenges you’ve faced as a student-athlete?

A: Just people being negative.

Q: If you could add one hour to your day, what would you do with it?

A: Practice more for football.

Q: What are your plans for after high school?

A: Probably go to trade school, if I don’t play Division-I football.

Q: If you have an opportunity to play a sport in college, no matter the size or location of the school, will you take it?

A: I’d say yes to a D-II and maybe keep trying to move onto a D-I.

Q: Is there any skill you feel you need to improve on to make it at the collegiate level?

A: My confidence.

Q: What would you tell your college roommate about the Keys?

A: It’s just so far away from the world and not much to do down here but go to the beach.

Q: On your first trip back home, what will be the meal you ask for?

A: Chicken tenders and fries.

Q: But you can get chicken tenders and fried from anywhere ...

A: Yeah, but that’s my one go-to.

Q: Do you have any career aspirations?

A: I’m interested in real estate I’ve seen a lot of people and heard cousins tell me how it can benefit my life if I put the work into it.