BEYOND THE GAME WITH DAVID HERLOCKER

By Shauna Rust, Myers Park High School

David Herlocker, a rising junior at Charlotte Catholic High School, participated in three varsity sports last year as a sophomore. David not only competes in football, basketball, and track and field, he excels at all three sports.  Finding success in athletics for the Herlocker family is nothing new at Charlotte Catholic.  His parents, Tom and Beth are recognized as two of the best athletes in the history of the historic school.  His older brothers, Joel and Ben also found great success in Cougar athletics.  Now it’s David’s turn to leave his mark on the fields, courts and track at Charlotte Catholic.

How old were you when you started playing football and basketball?  What got you involved with it?
“In 6th grade I started playing football and in 3rd grade I started playing basketball.  I never ran track before this year.  My dad played them all when he was a kid and my brothers played, so I just picked it up.”

Do you prefer playing football or basketball, and why?
“I probably prefer football a little more.  That’s the sport I’ve always liked best.  My brothers always liked it…it’s more of a family thing.”

As a three-sport Varsity athlete, how do you balance football, basketball, and track?
“They’re all in different parts of the year, so during the summer I work on all three.  Well, track I don’t have to practice much, but I work on football and basketball and focus on whichever one is in season.”

What is the highlight of your high school career so far, in any sport?
“Scoring my first varsity touchdown in football.  It was against East Gaston on Homecoming night last year.”

Coming from a family with a tradition of being great athletes at Catholic, how has that helped you become the athlete you are today?
“It makes me push myself to be as good as everyone else was at Catholic.  They taught me the basics when I was younger, and the coaches I have now go into more of the specifics, like Coach Christmas, Coach Brodowicz, and Coach Oddo for football.”

During the summertime, how have you balanced preparing for football this fall, while also maintaining your basketball and track skills?
“I have football workouts in the morning from 10am-12pm, in the weight room, and then we go out to the field.  And then basketball open gyms once or twice a week.  And also, speed training for track once or twice a week.”

Can you describe the normal summer football workout?
“We’re in the weight room everyday for about one to one and half hours.  Every other day we go out to the field and catch passes and throw with the quarterback.  And about once a week we have 7 vs. 7 passing scrimmages.”

How was your experience at the North Carolina 3A State Meet for track last spring in the long jump?
“I didn’t realize how good they were in the state.  It was a much more intense feeling than just a normal meet, and much bigger distances.”

What is your favorite thing about football and being a part of the Catholic team?
“The tradition that was set earlier and trying to keep it going, and trying to make the younger kids part of it.  Also, trying to get back to the state championship and the crowd at the games.”

What goals do you have for this coming football season?
“Just getting back deeper into the playoffs towards the state championship, and winning the conference.”

What are some things you do to mentally prepare yourself before a big game or competition?
“We usually have team talks with the coaches and they go over the game plan, what we need to do, and important stuff to remember so we don’t lose it out on the field.”

Can you describe what summer football workouts are like?
“We’re in the weight room everyday for about one to one and half hours.  Every other day we go out to the field and catch passes and throw with the quarterback.  And about once a week we have 7 vs. 7 passing scrimmages.”