ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Wanya Mitchell

A captain on the Ocoee boys bowling team despite being just a sophomore for the Knights, Wanya Mitchell has been a leader for the team this fall while juggling quite a schedule.

Mitchell is a member of Ocoee’s band, participates in the school’s Air Force Junior ROTC program, takes a challenging course load and volunteers with his church, also. Just within the past week, Mitchell led the Knights twice in three matches and has topped out so far this season with a 760 series.

How long ago did you begin bowling competitively?
I’ve been bowling since I was little but competitively for about four years.

What led you to choose bowling over other sports as your favorite?
It’s a tradition — my great-grandfather (bowled), my granddad did it, my mom did it. I just carried the torch and kept it going.

What’s your impression of how the team has done so far this season?
Mentally, we’ve gotten a lot better. … We fight until the end, so our mental game has gotten a lot better.

What has been the highlight of the season so far for you, individually?
There was one match where I shot a 760 (series).

Have you ever rolled a 300?
No — but I’ve been close many, many times. I’ve shot a 299, a 289, 279. Just can’t get that last pin to fall.

What do you imagine it would be like if you were to roll a perfect game?
It would be breathtaking. It’s a dream to get one in front of all my friends and family.

What other sports at Ocoee do you like to support?
I’m a strong supporter of the football team, because I’m in band. Volleyball, too — huge volleyball fan.

It seems you are a busy guy. What’s your schedule like?
We have matches throughout the week and a lot of times after the matches I have to rush over to band practice. I don’t get out of band practice until 9 p.m., so when I go home I still have homework that I have to complete. I’m doing homework until 11, 12 o’clock at night — wake up and do it all over again.

What’s your goal, as an individual, for the rest of the season?
Just to keep bowling my best — keep my game up.

What’s your favorite subject?
My favorite subject is actually math; I love numbers.

What do you see yourself doing as a career?
I actually want to go into the Air Force and be a fighter-pilot.

What’s the last movie you saw in a theater?
“About Last Night.”

Any preference on where you’d like to go to college?
I want to go to Florida A&M for their band program.

Whom do you admire?
Our senior last year, Mark Drennen, he came in third in the state, and he led us to a great season. I want to strive to get up there in that bracket. … Great bowler.

What are you looking forward to the most about Thanksgiving?
My grandma’s cooking — there’s nothing like it. … She makes this stuffing — I don’t know what’s in it, but whatever it is, it’s good.