Here are five questions we put to the Sailors' standout defensive player, Cecil Whiteside (6-3, 205), who was a first-team All-Sunset League linebacker as a sophomore in 2007.

Whiteside, who also plays receiver for the Sailors, recently finished first in the discus at the Masters Meet.

Question: Who is the NFL player you see yourself playing like?
Cecil Whiteside: I try to go for Brian Urlacher because he’s one of the top linebackers and he flies to the ball. He leads his team in tackles, a leader on defense. I try to imitate that.

Q: As both a linebacker and receiver, what is your favorite thing to do, your favorite part of the game?
CW: Defense. You get to hit more people and you kind of control the game. Big hits, tackles, interceptions, all of the above. You’re just trying to make big plays.

Q: What are you personal goals?
CW: I’m trying to get all-league, best defensive player in the Sunset League.

Q: What are you better at, track and field or football?
CW: As of right now, probably track and field, because I haven’t won a CIF championship in football.

Q: What is something people don’t know about you?
CW: Sometimes I just isolate myself from everyone and listen to music. All types. I do not have a genre I haven’t listened to. The last CD I bought was Nigerian Blues. My coach (played) it and I liked it. I find it quite calming.

Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com