Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Luke Weber, Highland Park baseball

Luke Weber is a senior right-handed pitcher for the Giants. He is committed to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and is off to a 3-0 start this season.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I like to keep the same stretching routine. I never like to change any of that. I make sure I am full before games. Pitching on an empty stomach doesn’t go well, especially in the late innings. In between innings, I always have Gatorade, purple, grape-flavored.

2. Why Illinois?

I really loved all the coaches there and also it’s kind of close to home, so my parents can come watch me throw. They got a new indoor facility over the winter, and I thought it was a good fit. Mostly just the coaches made me fell like home there.

3. What has made you a successful pitcher?

I think movement on my fastball and movement on my changeup. I’m a pretty big tail guy. In high school baseball, a lot of kids aren’t throwing as hard as I am, but when we play harder teams, movement on my fastball and changeup gives them a different look.

4. If you could play another position, what would it be?

I’d probably play center field. I played growing up. I enjoyed the outfield, making diving catches and throwing runners out.

5. Do you have a favorite athlete?

Yea, I don’t necessarily fully relate to this person, but Bryce Harper (OF — Philadelphia Phillies). He plays right field and I’m a pitcher, but I like his swagger and how he plays. I’ve always looked up to him.

6. What is your favorite thing to do off the field?

I love being outside, hanging out with friends on the weekend, just enjoying times outside in the summer — my favorite season.

7. What is your dream job?

Probably being a coach, either a college coach at Division I level or minor league or major league coach. I’m going into sports management at Illinois, so definitely something in the sports world.

8. If you’re in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I’m probably buying an Arizona Iced Tea — half lemonade, half iced tea — and maybe a Milky Way.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

I don’t know if this is what people don’t know, but I love lifting (weights). It’s one of my second passions. It’s helped me in baseball, but a lot of people think it’s a chore, but I love it. If I wasn’t playing baseball, I might be a body builder.

10. Off to an 8-3 start, what is this team capable of?

I think we’re definitely capable of wining conference. Last year it was a three-way tie, and I think we’re the strongest team this year. The past three years we’ve lost in first round of playoffs. I think this team is capable of winning a regional. That’s one of our goals, winning one playoff game and maybe two or three.

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