Winamac Athletics

Ayden Jimenez will continue his academic and athletic career by heading to Carroll University in Wisconsin to play football. What made you choose Carroll University? "The coaching there, it really made it feel like I was back at home. I can have a good relationship with them, they know how to recruit, they know football and they are good people" What is your favorite memory of playing sports while participating as a student-athlete at Winamac? "Probably two...my freshman year when we won the sectional out of nowhere and beat the Bluejays, and this year beating West Central in football and basketball." Was playing a collegiate sport something that you always wanted to do? "Yes, because ever since I was little I always loved watching football and playing at another level was something I wanted to do, and also because not everyone can do it. You can always saying I'm going to go play college football." What are some things about Carroll University that people around Winamac wouldn't know? "They were the first college in Wisconsin. They renovated all the original rooms but kept all the original buildings. They are the only school in Wisconsin that has an aviation drone program." Who were people along the way that helped you achieve this goal? "My family, they helped me a lot, especially my parents and little brother. Also my coaches, because they put a lot of time and effort into me by showing me how to be a better football player and how you can achieve things that you didn't think were achievable." How did you find out about Carroll University? "I went to a camp that I was picked for, and I went there in Illinois and they introduced themselves and their defensive line coach pulled me aside after the camp and said he could really use me and he's been recruiting me since this last summer." What would you say to Winamac students who are on the fence about wanting to play football at the high school level? "It can be scary at first if you never played football, but we have really good coaches who will help you a lot. They will give you the same reps and attention and will help you. Even if you are an underclassmen you can find a spot on varsity."