Athlete of the Week: Peyton Hollern, Windermere Preparatory School

Windermere Prep junior Peyton Hollern is a scrappy, versatile and dynamic athlete for the Lakers’ football and baseball teams. A die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan, the do-it-all Hollern offers a Steel City, bring-your-lunch-pail-to-work type of mentality on the gridiron for the young WPS football team and first-year coach James Hamilton. 

From lining up at the receiver spot — often reminiscent of the great slot pass-catchers from the NFL ranks, such as Wes Welker or Hollern’s favorite, Ryan Switzer — to playing quarterback, running back and defensive back, Hollern is ready and willing to line up wherever he is needed to help his team.  

How does it feel to be named Athlete of the Week?
It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized as Athlete of the Week. 

What do you like the most about football?
I love the camaraderie of the football team and the bonding that occurs both in and out of the season. 

What is your goal for this season for yourself and the team?
I want this team to be successful, because if the team succeeds, we all will have individual success.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from football?
I learned that you don’t play for yourself; you play for the team. This lesson has helped me, because it translates to other sports and other aspects of my day-to-day life.

Who is your favorite athlete?
Former Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison, because he played the game with a lot of energy and a passion to win.

Is there someone after whom you try to model your game?
Former NFL wide receiver Ryan Switzer. 

What is your favorite football memory?
Last year in our spring game, when I caught an interception in the end zone to stop the other team’s drive. 

What is your go-to pre-game meal?
Whatever Coach Hamilton has set up for us that day.

What is your go-to pre-game hype song?
Tunnel Vision” by Kodak Black.

What is your favorite non-sports hobby?
Guitar and video games.  

What is your favorite subject in school?
Both English and history, because I enjoy learning about the past and improving my vocabulary. 

What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is “Field of Dreams,” because of the deeper message that it expresses about how significant family is and the shared bonds that come from family.

If you could have dinner with one person — dead or alive — who would it be?
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, so I can pick his brain about football. 

If you could go back in time to a specific period in history, when and where would you go?
The late 1970s, so I could actually watch both the Pirates and Steelers win championships. 

If you could travel to three places in the world, where would you go and why?
I would go to Pittsburgh, London and Ireland. The reason I would go to Pittsburgh is so I could go see a Steelers game. I’d go to London and Ireland just because I want to see what it is like there. 

Looking back, what piece of advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell myself to not be afraid to take risks and step out of my comfort zone, because that’s the only way to learn.

Who is your favorite superhero?
Spider-Man, because he is my age, and I can relate to him.

Does pineapple belong on pizza?
No.