MADISON (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- As a freshman at Madison West High School, Gavin Frings decided to give volleyball a try. He had little experience with the sport but was coming from a smaller middle school and wanted to meet people in the fall.
Over the next four years, he grew into a team captain. On occasion, his coach Jaime Veraska would ask members of the team to find inspirational quotes to share.
“He said it was a Gavin original and he told me that the best offense is a good offense and that kind of stuck with the program for about three years,” said Veraska.
Gavin also became a captain of the tennis team. His 6’6” frame was definitely an advantage on the court, but so was his mind according to coach John Braxler.
“He knows how to analyze who he’s playing against and he makes sure to try and play to their weakness and hide his own. That’s what makes him a star doubles player,” said Braxler.
The Coronavirus shut down Gavin’s last high school tennis season as well as many other school activities.
“I think I really miss the human interaction more than I thought I would at the start,” said Frings.
Gavin earned a 4.0 GPA. When in class, teachers like David Ross could count on his involvement.
“There are always some go-to students who if you look out you know are going to be there and kind of lock in…you’re talking to somebody and that they’re getting it,” said Ross.
Gavin’s favorite subject is math. It comes easy for him. He spent time tutoring students who struggled with the subject.
“I think that it’s really important for me to see what it’s like for other people and for me to understand what it’s like to struggle with a concept,” said Frings.
Veraska’s seen Gavin help at youth volleyball camps as well.
“He has a way that he can relate to multiple people no matter what background they’re from or what experiences they’ve had and that is a really unique quality,” said Veraska.
Math teacher Dominic Johann-Berkel saw Gavin break down advanced ideas to other students. He calls this a rare gift which he’d like to see Gavin use in the future.
“He would not just to rush to explain the steps, step A, B, C, D. but was willing to listen to what other people thought. He’d try to reconcile it with his own thought processes and then explain the why behind each one of the steps,” said Johann-Berkel.
Gavin plans on attending the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a double major in Math and Computer Science. He scored a perfect 36 on his ACT exam. A score that even surprised him.
“When I initially took the test I didn’t think it went that well. It felt pretty rough when I was actually in the room taking it,” said Frings.
Gavin also volunteered at the Iron Man Triathlon. Just another of many experiences and accomplishments for this Scholar Athlete.
“He kept his world open and large and I think that’s important,” said Ross.