Time out with Dion Copoulos

SCHOOL: Carson High

YEAR: Senior

SPORT: Baseball

Q: What are your favorite sports and why?

A: Baseball is my favorite sport because I've grown up around the game. I've played baseball since I was 4. I also love the game of baseball because, although it is a team sport, there is always that individual contest with every pitch, a responsibility on each player to make a play; a 1-on-1 contest. Everything a baseball player does is accounted for and it is always either right or wrong, good or bad.

Q: Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

A: Shane Victorino. He is the centerfielder for the Phillies. He is an incredible outfielder and hard worker, and he leads his team through example. He should be a role model for any outfielder or baseball player.

Q: How do you feel about drug testing at the high school level? Should it be random or should everybody be tested once during the season?

A: I feel drug/alcohol testing should be random. That way it keeps everybody honest because you never know when you will be tested. It also helps keep kids out of trouble.

Q: If you saw a teammate using drugs or alcohol, what would you do? Would you talk to him about it, or turn him into the coach?

A: I would talk to him about it first. I feel like that player should be given another chance, and I'm sure it would not be their intention to hurt the team. If things continued I would definitely tell the coaches to help my teammate not choose the wrong path and to help him as a person.

Q: What sport have you always wanted to try and never have?

A: Lacrosse. It looks like a ton of fun and it looks challenging. Even though I'm sure I would get thrown around, it still looks like a fun game.

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

A: Aside from playing baseball, I like to ski, sky dive and just about any adventurous activity. Over the summer I plan to get my skydiving license.

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: Dexter. It's about a serial killer who works for the Miami Police Department.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Greek food. Greek food is very general, but it is all great and it represents my heritage.

Q: What is the last non-academic book you read?

A: "The Three Theban Plays: Antigone; Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus."

Q: Do you have a favorite musician or group?

A: No. Almost anything with a catchy beat and meaningful lyrics.

Q: What has been your most thrilling moment in sports?

A: My most thrilling moment in sports was my sophomore year when the JV team was playing Fallon. I was on third base and Tommy Champion was at the plate, and we executed a perfect suicide squeeze. We eventually won the game.

Q: Where do you plan to attend college, and what are you looking at in terms of a major?

A: I am going to be attending Oregon State. I plan to major in biology or biochemistry and as a long-term goal get into medical school.