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Q&A with Apple Valley's Aaron Gretz

By Ron Haggstrom, Star Tribune, 04/26/11, 9:08PM CDT

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Senior hoping to end high school career with a trip to Target Field


Aaron Gretz

Apple Valley senior Aaron Gretz has played in one of the state’s best venues (Xcel Energy Center) and would like to finish his career playing in another (Target Field).

The Eagles goalie in hockey is currently a catcher on the baseball team. Apple Valley played in the Class 2A state hockey tournament in 2010.

Here is a closer look at Gretz:

Best movie I’ve seen in the past year: “The Fighter.”

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are … “Hero” by Skillet;  “Over” by Drake; “Right Above it” by Lil’ Wayne.

Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me: Competitive; funny; leader.

Favorite meal before a game: Two plain strawberry cream cheese bagels with a red Vitamin Water. No questions asked.

How do you balance school and sports during the year? I procrastinate quite a bit, but I always find some way to get my homework and studying done.

How did you get started in sports? My parents were huge supporters of me playing sports to keep me active and to keep me out of trouble. Also, I looked up to my brothers a lot so when I saw them playing baseball and hockey I wanted to be just like them.

Who is your school’s biggest rival, and why? Eastview and Eden Prairie because whenever we play them it’s always a good game.

At my first varsity practice, I felt … like I never wanted to move back down to the level I had just came from.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? Playing in the state high school hockey tournament. Nothing even comes close to that.

What did you work on in the offseason? I really worked on getting faster, but I’m always trying to get bigger and stronger.

What are your goals for the baseball season? Win the [South Suburban] conference and play at Target Field.

To get focused for a game, I … really like to relax as much as possible, but I’m very superstitious so I have to make sure I do the same exact thing before every game.

I know I have an edge on an opponent when … I can see they are getting angry or frustrated because then you can really take advantage of them.

If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? I wish more people would pay attention to high school baseball in Minnesota. Then again with the weather we have been having this year, I don’t blame them.

When you have time off during vacation, what do you like to do? Sleep in. I’m not a morning person. Just ask my parents.

Who is your favorite college or pro sports team and why? The Ohio State Buckeyes because that’s where I am playing baseball next year. I’m also a big Twins fan. [Joe] Mauer is the man.

In 10 years, I hope I’m … playing baseball somewhere. That’s all I ask for.

What is the best sports advice you ever received? “Big-time players play big in big-time situations.”

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