Photo credit: Kelly Magee
Three-sport athlete Ben Christensen does it all at Valley High School. From being a member of the state tournament basketball team this year, to running in cross country or track, the junior is always finding ways to stay active. We asked Ben a few questions to find out more about the man known for his Chobani yogurt consumption.
IdahoSports.com: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Christensen: I’m a junior at Valley with a 4.0 GPA. I’m a bit of a goof in classes and at social functions. I’m the oldest of seven. I love sports. I’m a major Utah Jazz fan (and am so happy to see them back in the playoffs!). I like country and 80’s music. I’m very competitive. I’ve always had a lot to live up to from all my family. It was my uncle, Mike, who hit “The Shot” in the 1998 basketball title game from the opposite free throw line to win it all for Declo, and my uncle Marc was the Idaho player of the year. My mom won a bunch of state track and cross country medals, and ran in college. Her brother won state in a few track things too. My grandpa is a coach. Needless to say I’ve had a lot of “constructive criticism” from family members!
IdahoSports.com: What school are you most excited to compete against every year, and why?
Christensen: Oakley in basketball. They are our rival and it’s always super competitive with an electric atmosphere. When it comes to running, I just like competing against the big schools.
IdahoSports.com: What is your favorite sport to watch? Participate in?
Christensen: To watch is definitely basketball. It’s also probably the sport that is the most fun to participate in, as running sometimes sucks.
IdahoSports.com: What is your most memorable moment in a game/event?
Christensen: Winning the district title in basketball this past season. It was pretty great to accomplish that with my teammates. It was our first district boys’ title since 2012, when I was taking stats for the team.
IdahoSports.com: What is your most embarrassing moment of all time?
Christensen: Sheesh I dunno. I’m not really the type of person who gets embarrassed by doing dumb things. I may have banked in a couple threes this year in basketball, and those always make one a bit embarrassed. Still counts as three points though!
IdahoSports.com: What was the last song you listened to?
Christensen: Something country. I think it was “Fast” by Luke Bryan.
IdahoSports.com: What is something most people do not know about you?
Christensen: I eat a Chobani yogurt before every cross country meet, every basketball game and every track meet. It’s become something of a joke/tradition at Valley. Everyone on the team knows that “Ben has got to have his Chobani!” Lots of my teammates wonder how I stomach it and don’t throw up. It’s just my good luck charm!
IdahoSports.com: Any thoughts on where you want to go to college?
Christensen: Somewhere pretty local, like in the Northwest area. I’d like to go to a bigger college. I don’t know if I want to run in college or not. I have quite a few schools that have contacted me for XC/track. I’m not sure where I want to go for sure though.
IdahoSports.com: When you "grow up" what is your idea of the perfect job?
Christensen: Honestly something in the sports journalism field, whether it be broadcasting or writing.
IdahoSports.com: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Christensen: I’ve gotten a lot from coaches, parents, grandparents. Probably the best is to never let other people dictate how you act and what you do. Never lower your standards. Something like that.
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