Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the spring season, the Upper Iowa Athletics Department is spending the next few months spotlighting many of our Peacock student-athletes whose spring seasons came to a premature end. 

In today's virtual interview, Pete the Peacock gets to know UIU baseball's AJ Friedrich. AJ is a junior from Waconia, Minnesota who came to Fayette three years ago from Waconia High School. He is majoring in industrial technology education.

PETE: How would you describe yourself in three words?    
AJ: Outgoing, Big, Happy.

PETE: What made you want to be a collegiate student-athlete?
AJ: It was always a dream of mine to play baseball at the next level.

PETE: What have you learned about what it takes to be a student-athlete?
AJ: You always have to be on top of things. Having school work, baseball, weight training, etc... can get very busy.

PETE: What is your favorite way to de-stress?    
AJ: Play golf.

PETE: What advice would you give to your 14-year old self?    
AJ: Don't eat as much. Hit the weight room.

PETE: What is something most people don't know about you?    
AJ: I have one less bone in my body than everyone else.

PETE: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?    
AJ: The community. The people are awesome!

PETE: What is your favorite thing about Fayette?    
AJ: The small-town feel.

PETE: How do you want to be remembered?    
AJ: As a good person both on and off of the field.

PETE: What's the best thing that has happened to you in the last week?    
AJ: I got to see some seniors for possibly the last time. Going to miss my dudes.

PETE: What are the top three things on your bucket list?    
AJ: To go to Canada, Nashville, and Europe.

PETE: What is your dream job if money wasn't a factor? Why?    
AJ: Stay at home dad. I think I would be pretty good at that!

PETE: Who are three people (dead or alive) you'd love to have dinner with? Why?    
AJ: Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and George Washington.

PETE: What is your most memorable sports moment?    
AJ: It's a tie between winning the state championship in high school and getting my first college hit in Rolla, Missouri.

PETE: What fictional character (movie, TV show, book, cartoon, etc.) would you want to be for a day? Why?    
AJ: Happy Gilmore, I would love to be able to hit a golf ball that far.

PETE: What is your dream vacation spot? Why? What would you want to do there?    
AJ: Bora Bora, staying in a hut above the ocean would be awesome.

PETE: If you were president for a day, what would you change?    
AJ: No one works on Mondays.

PETE: What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What do you order?    
AJ: Rey Azteca, California Burrito.

PETE: What does your dream life after retirement look like?    
AJ: Living out in the country where I can hunt and do anything I want. I'd want to have a cabin in Northern Minnesota.

PETE: Where or who do you get your inspiration from?    
AJ: I got my inspiration from my dad and grandpa.

PETE: If you could sing a duet with someone, who would it be? What song?    
AJ: Luke Combs, Even Though I'm Leaving.

PETE: What is one cause that you hold dear to your heart? Why?    
AJ: Disabled American Veterans because these people sacrificed it all for our country to protect our freedom that we all are fortunate to have.

PETE: What is your go-to karaoke song?    
AJ: Sweet Caroline.

PETE: Do you have a secret talent?    
AJ: I can do a reverse cannonball off the diving board.

PETE: What are three things you cannot live without? 
AJ: Family, Friends, and Baseball.

Special thanks to AJ Friedrich for taking the time to chat with Pete! To view more virtual interviews, please click here.