Male Athlete of the Year: Nico Nielsen leads Timberwolves football and volleyball to success

Woodcreek High School senior Nico Nielsen, a dual sport athlete for the Timberwolves, helped lead the football team to their best record since 2018 and also led the Timberwolves to a NorCal Championship in boys' volleyball. Nielsen was the leading receiver for Woodcreek High last fall with 592 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. He had four games with at least 100 yards and three games with multiple touchdowns. On defense, Nielsen had 19 tackles and an interception. The Timberwolves went 7-4 on the season, their best record since 2018, and made the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. In volleyball, Nielsen was third in the section and 22nd in the state with 353 kills while adding 24 aces, 33 blocks and 142 digs. Arguably Nielsen's best performance of the season came in the NorCal semifinals when he totaled 24 kills in a three-set win against Amador Valley. The Timberwolves finished the season 30-5 and won the Capital Valley Conference with an 11-1 record. His volleyball coach, Brian Jew, explained what made Nielsen a special player for the team. "Nico is the type of player that isn't about being flashy or will even talk about his abilities. He is a level-headed player that doesn't let his emotions affect his game," Jew said. "The tenacity he has shown in his level of play made him not only a leader on the court but off the court as well. He is a player that wants his team to do well; his engagement with all the players created the strong chemistry that the team had." Gold Country Media asked Nielsen some questions and his answers follow. What was the best part about playing football and volleyball at Woodcreek High? Nielsen: "The best part was the people. From my teammates to coaches to the general atmosphere at games, I was constantly surrounded by great people who made my overall experience the best it could have been." How long have you been playing both sports competitively and who is your biggest motivation? Nielsen: "I began playing tackle football with Woodcreek Junior Timberwolves when I was in sixth grade and began playing volleyball in seventh-grade for my school. I picked up club volleyball during the summer of my junior year. My biggest motivation is both of my parents as they have invested so much love and support into me and I do my best to make them both proud." You led the Timberwolves in receiving this last season and Woodcreek had its best record since 2018. What contributed to your success offensively last season? Nielsen: "The trust both my teammates and coaches put into me to make plays when it mattered I believe fueled my success offensively last season. My quarterback, Garrett Krupp, also played a huge part as he trusted me enough to put the ball in spots where I was able to make plays." You also helped lead Woodcreek to a NorCal title in volleyball and were third in the section in kills. How exciting was it to end your high school athletic career with a NorCal Championship? Nielsen: "I think winning the NorCal Championship was the best possible way I could have concluded my time at Woodcreek. Playing with that group of guys, led by Coach Jew, was one of the most fun, exciting times I had at Woodcreek and it meant a lot to be able to finish my time with that group of guys." Do you have a favorite professional athlete? If so, who and why? Nielsen: "My favorite professional athletes are Juan Soto and De'Aaron Fox. Both are young stars and I love the swagger and energy they bring to their games but also are leaders on their teams." Do sports run in your family? If so, who has played and at what level/s? Nielsen: "Both of my parents played collegiate sports at California Polytechnic State University. My father played football there and my mother played softball." Have you been involved in other sports? Nielsen: "Growing up, I was very involved in baseball, playing Woodcreek Little League and playing on their All-Star teams from 10 to 12 years old. I also played basketball all through middle school and up through my sophomore year at Woodcreek." What are your biggest strengths as a football player and then as a volleyball player? Nielsen: "My biggest strengths as both a football and volleyball player is being able to stay calm and composed no matter the moment. I think not letting my emotions get the best of me and really being able to focus on what I needed to do helped me have successful seasons." Do you have a favorite game you've been in or a favorite memory from your high school athletic career? Nielsen: "My favorite game as a Woodcreek athlete was this past year's Junction Bowl football game versus Roseville High School. That game was by far the most people I had ever played in front of and the atmosphere was amazing. It also always feels good to beat your crosstown rivals 28-7 and I was able to score two touchdowns that game." Where do you plan on going to college and what are you going to major in? Nielsen: "I will be at Arizona State University to study kinesiology." What was your favorite class in school and why? Nielsen: "My favorite class at Woodcreek was recreational admin with Mr. Mazzuca. This class was super fun and I was able to go to local elementary schools and teach physical education to fourth-grade and kindergarten students. I felt this class was super rewarding as I was able to build connections and hopefully serve as a role model for those students." Who is your favorite musical artist/band? Nielsen: "J Cole." Favorite restaurant and favorite food? Nielsen: "Chipotle and I love bowls from Chipotle." Outside of school and playing sports, what do you like to do in your free time? Nielsen: "In my free time, I like to spend time with my friends whether that is just hanging out, playing sports with them or on Xbox with them." Is there a particular job you'd like to have someday? Nielsen: "I want to begin as an occupational therapist and eventually become a physical therapist." If you had a piece of advice for other high school athletes, what would you tell them? Nielsen: "My advice for other high school athletes would be to always work as hard as you can, but enjoy it while you can. It's easy to get caught up in emotions when you feel like you're having a rough game, day or week but take a step back and just have fun with it because there is only so much time until it is over."