By Olivia Augustine – News Editor

John Neider is a senior football captain and was recently named Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year for the 2022 Connecticut high school football season. Advocate News Editor Olivia Augustine interviewed Neider about receiving this prestigious honor. 

Olivia Augustine: How did it feel to win the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year award?

John Neider: It feels great being the Gatorade Player of the Year. When I first found out I was overwhelmed with emotions and was shocked that I accomplished one of my main goals.

OA: What do you win being the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year?

JN: One of the main things I will get for being Gatorade Player of the Year is an $1,000 grant to a charity of my choice. I think that is great and I think that is the best thing I get from this accolade.

OA: How do you think this past football season helped you earn the award?

JN: The football season helped me earn this because it pushed me through all types of adversary on and off the field. The entire team would push each other to perform their best and work their hardest. Without all the ups and downs throughout the season I don’t think this award would have been possible.

OA: How did you apply to be Gatorade Player of the Year?

JN: I actually did not apply myself. I reached out to my coach giving him the idea of applying for it and he did it. I thought it was a huge goal and would be historic if I won it for Law and for the football team.

OA: What was your goal for the end of the football season? 

JN: Our goal towards the end of the football season was for the season to go on for as long as we could. Our main goal was not to win every game. I believe that it was to buy more time with each other and to push this thing we have going on to the very end.