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“Get To Know“ is a feature created to showcase and spotlight student-athletes from all over Idaho. You might think you know them because you see their names in the news but we dig deeper to find who they are away from the court, field, pitch, court, track and course.
Our second "Get To Know" features Andy Gebhardt, who participates in cross county, track and basketball for Salmon High School.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Idaho and moved to Minnesota, then Oregon and back to Idaho. I run cross country, track, play basketball and participate in recreational soccer in the late spring and summer. I enjoy hiking and backpacking in the mountains, bow hunting, biking and fly fishing in the summers. Also, my family spends quite a bit of time up at the ski hill during the winter when I’m not busy with basketball.
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it?
My nickname recently has become the Grinch from my family. Not because I hate Christmas, but because I’m not a big fan of the cold or the snow. I’m known to say “it can snow up on the ski hill, but not in town.”
What is your favorite sport to watch? Participate in?
My favorite sport to watch is definitely track and field because I run track and love to watch others, especially professional athletes.
As a student-athlete, which is harder - being a student or being an athlete? Why?
As a student-athlete, I would say that being a student is the hardest part. Having the time to get schoolwork done can be a problem with practice schedules and games, but it’s never too bad.
What is the best thing you have learned from playing sports in high school?
The best thing I’ve learned from high school sports is to love what you are doing and always do your best. After all, you get to meet so many new people and compete against them and with your own friends.
What is your favorite high school memory so far?
My favorite high school memory would have to be winning the 2A team championship in cross country that our team worked so hard to get. Also, having my teammate and I get first and second individually.
Who is your favorite teacher? Why?
My favorite teacher in Salmon is Mrs. Braswell. She always makes fun of different students and her class is enjoyable and intellectual.
What kind of car gets you around town?
The car I drive around Salmon is a silver Subaru Outback.
Cat person or dog person?
I am most certainly a dog person and spend lots of time in the hills around Salmon hiking and hunting with my two Brittany Spaniels.
You have an entire weekend with no plans. What do you do?
On a weekend with no plans I am definitely going to be out in the woods hunting.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
I would want to meet Roger Bannister; the first man to break the four-minute mile. His story would be amazing to hear and how he felt about breaking such a monumental barrier in sports.
What is something most people do not know about you?
I firmly believe that ice cream is frozen recovery for a runner.
What celebrity would play you if they made a movie about your life?
The actor that would play me is Grant Gustin from the TV series Flash. My family came up with this one.
What was the last song you listened to?
The last song I listened to was “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons.
Any thoughts on where you want to go to college?
I don’t know where I want to go to college yet. I want to go somewhere I can run for a team.
When you "grow up" what is your idea of the perfect job?
My idea of the perfect job is doing something I love and want to do every day. I don’t care as much about the money as long as my job is enjoyable.
What is the best advice you have ever received and from who?
The best advice I have ever received from someone is to not let others define you. You can be who you want to be and shouldn’t care what others think about you.
100 years from now, when your name is mentioned, how do you want to be remembered?
In 100 years, I want to be remembered for who I was and not what my accomplishments were. I want to be remembered for being a leader, a role-model to others, and for always trying my hardest in whatever I am doing whether it be academics or athletics.
Shout out:
I want to give a huge thank you to my friends and teammates that make every day so amazing. Also, to my family and coaches for supporting me, teaching me and helping in more ways than they know.
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