2024 PFN Player Spotlight: Getting to Know Mark Nilsen-Wallenpaupack Buckhorns S/FB
Tagged under: District 2, News, Player Previews
Daniel Reed | June 7, 2024
Mark Nilsen
Wallenpaupack Area High School
Class of: 2025
Positions: S/FB
Jersey Number: 8
Ht: 5’9 – Wt: 189lbs
Other Sports: Baseball
Notable Awards/Recognition: N/A
Offer Sheet: None at the moment
Twitter: N/A
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WORDS FROM THE HEAD COACH:
Strong, physical, and mentally tough individual who has a strong leadership role with our team. 2 year starter at Safety and is an athlete that has worked very hard this offseason improving himself physically. We hope for Mark to be a strong presence on both sides of the ball this upcoming season.
GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MARK:
What is the best part about being a student athlete at Wallenpaupack High School?
The best part about being a student athlete at Wallenpaupack is playing the game I love with some of my best friends and also having classes with those same guys. Also lifting in the mornings with the guys are some of my best memories.
How long have you been playing football?
I have been playing football since my 8th grade year.
Of all of the road games you have played, which stadium had the best overall atmosphere, along with what made it so good?
The stadium which I have played at that has the best atmosphere was Berwick. This was because every time a touchdown was scored, they had the firehouse siren go off and fireworks the entire game. Before we started playing, there was a lot of fans, parents, and others tailgating as if it were a pro game which was something that we have never experienced before.
If the game is on the line, do you want to be on offense or defense?
I would rather be on defense, mostly because if we are on defense, we are most likely beating them and we just have to make a stop and I am confident we will do that because we have a strong defense.
As an athlete, what has been your biggest achievement?
As an athlete, the biggest achievement that I have had was winning the Iron Man award for football. I won this by scoring higher than everybody else on the team in lifting and agility drills.
What was the high point of the 2023 season?
The high point of the 2023 season was when we played Hazleton and won the game. This was very good for us because they are a 6A school and we beat them fairly well and everybody on our team was playing their best football.
What are you going to miss most from the 2024 class?
I will miss the camaraderie of the guys the most. I have been in school and sports with these guys for almost all of my life and now playing ball without them will be different. All of these practices that I had with these guys are so memorable and I will remember them forever.
What are your goals for the 2024 season?
My goal for the season is to win as many games as we can and try to win the district.
Who is your favorite sports star and why?
My favorite sports star was Derek Jeter, because he was a very successful on and off the field, and he is a very good person too. Jeter had an amazing work ethic and was also humble during all of his success.
Do you have a favorite play you remember the most?
A play that I remember the most was when we played Delaware Valley at DV. Their quarterback attempted to throw a pass to Aiden Black who was running a zip and I intercepted the pass and then ran the ball out of bounds before Black could tackle me.
Who was the best player you have ever lined up against and what team did they play for?
The best player that I think I have ever played against was probably Ryder Machado from Delaware Valley.
What stadium should you like to visit?
I would like to visit Colorado University’s Folsom Field because they have a very amazing scenery with the mountains in the distance.
What is your favorite sports team?
Yankees
What game was your favorite game to watch?
My favorite game to watch was a baseball game with our varsity team vs North Pocono at Scranton University, because both pitchers threw amazing games and it was a nail-biter all through the game.
What sports movie could you watch everyday if you had to pick one and why?
I would pick Happy Gilmore because, I like Adam Sandler as an actor and I think this movie is hilarious.
Name a thing that you’d love to do in football that may never happen?
I would really love to win a National Championship in college football.
Name a sport that you’d love to play but can’t.
Rugby
What’s your most embarrassing sports moment?
My most embarrassing sports moment was when I hit a triple in a baseball game and when I dove into third, the dirt was wet and I “scorpioned” and my feet hit my head.
When you aren’t playing, practicing, or training for sports, what is your go to activity and why.
My go to activity when not playing sports is going hunting, fishing, and in the winter skiing. I like these because I can make them competitive and I can do them with my friends who I do not play sports with.
Which one, Sheetz, Wawa, or Rutters?
Wawa, because everybody likes Wawa, and I have never heard of Rutter’s before.
What is your favorite vacation destination.
My favorite vacation destination is Charleston, South Carolina.
Tell us something that you fear.
Drowning is something I fear.
Favorite Fast food/burger place?
My favorite fast food place is Roy Rogers, because they have very good fried chicken and honey mustard. Don’t know if there is still a Roy Rogers around.
Have you ever been to a professional sports game?
I have been to an Eagles and Jets game when I was younger. I have also been to a Yankees and Braves game a couple of years ago.
What sports league is the best?
I do not have a favorite, since I like all competitive sports.
What are your favorite toppings on pizza?
Meatballs and Sausage are my favorite topping on pizza.
Favorite school subject?
Gym class
Favorite band/ musician?
Alan Jackson
Airplane, boat or vehicle how would you travel and the where.
I would travel by plane to Switzerland.
Name one thing in life you would like to achieve.
I would like to get a good paying job and get a house in the mountains out west.
Locations you think would be the best place to live?
Mountains, because the views are amazing and there are so many things you can do in the mountains like ski, hunt, and snowmobiling.
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