Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Harlee Hiller, Loyola wrestling

Harlee Hiller is a senior for the Ramblers who on March 1 claimed her second state championship and fourth state medal.

1. Do you have any prematch or premeet rituals or superstitions?

Before the meet, I always have Saltine crackers and a bagel. I just have always had that and have not wanted to switch it up. I really like Saltine crackers.

2. What do you hope to do next year?

I want to wrestle in college at the highest level possible. (The process) is going good. I’m just talking to coaches and going on visits.

3. What is your dream job?

Maybe like an announcer for sports; that would be cool. My parents coach lacrosse and I always watched their games at home. When I was younger I tried to announce their games, knowing all their players, and I’d turn the volume off.

4. If you could try another sport, what would it be?

Probably lacrosse. I’ve always just been around it since I was younger. It’s really a fun sport. I don’t really do any team sports and feel like it would be really cool to be part of a team sport, to get that different experience.

5. What has been your top sports moment so far?

Probably either winning Pan-Ams in wrestling or my first state title — just because I didn’t think I could do it and it pushed me forward so much in the sport and gave me much more confidence and love for the sport. I had a really good offseason after that. I got so motivated.

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

I like to hang out with friends and watch different sports and go to lacrosse games (Northwestern).

7. What do you enjoy about wrestling?

I just think it’s fun and a cool community where everyone is so nice and has helped me so much. It has taught me how to get through hard things and work hard and taught lessons that will carry through life.

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

Probably pretzels and a Gatorade (the blue, Glacier Freeze)

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

I’m the only one in my family who has never played hockey — all my cousins and my uncle (Tony Amonte, former Chicago Blackhawk) played in the NHL, and my mom and dad played, and all my cousins on my mom’s side all played, one of them in the NHL (Charlie Coyle).

10. What will you remember about Loyola wrestling?

I just feel like my coaches have been so amazing and always helped me and have given me so many opportunities to succeed and trained me hard. Everyone on the team is so great, and a bunch of teammates watched me in the finals. Everyone supports each other and wants everyone to do their best.

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