Senior year of sports is supposed to be the year that counts the most: college recruiters watching for potential college scholarships and the last year playing with childhood friends. Senior Captain Jake Olson’s dream of having a great last year playing high school football ended when he tore his  ACL, MCL and Meniscus tendon.

Olson was injured during a summer pre-season practice when he cut on the safety without contact. Not only is Olson out this year, but he was also out the entire season last year with a shattered collar bone. Olson does not let anything get him down and is still a leader for his teammates.

He was announced captain at last year’s football banquet, along with seniors Trevor Tillett, David Peterson and Mitchell Schertz, by his teammates and coaches.

Football coach Beau LaBore said being chosen captain, “means you have the majority and the blessings of all the teammates that you served with the prior season.” He also added  it is, “important that they are responsible, team first players, that they are willing to take initiative and that are willing to put the team before their own personal desires.”

The players were disappointed that Olson wouldn’t be able to suit up and play with them on Friday nights.

Tillett explained, “He’s worked just as hard as anyone and deserves to be suiting up every day with the rest of the team.”

Coaches were bummed that such a hard working player, wouldn’t be able to play this year, after he missed playing last season as well.

LaBore said, “As if last year’s injury wasn’t devastating enough and the fact that he only had two plays and was out for the rest of the season and not even get to play one play this season was devastating to all of us.”

Olson was heartbroken when he found out he wouldn’t be able to play football his senior year. He had always dreamt of playing football his senior year with all of his teammates.

Olson explained how he felt about his season ending injury, “It really hurt when I knew what I had been looking up for my whole life would be taken away without being able to do anything about it. It also sucked that I couldn’t show what my full potential was to everyone. I really just wanted to have a wonderful season with the guys and win games.”

Olson still acts as not only as a  good teammate, but a captain.  He hasn’t missed any games or events and is always supporting his teammates.

Junior Joey Freichels said Olson, “is a good team leader and comes to all our events to support us on, even though he is not playing this season.” Freichels added, “he is always on the sidelines cheering us on.”

He brings things to the team that make it stronger. His positive energy contributes to the teams attitude and helps the team stay positive about their play.

“Jake is still a huge part of the team, he makes the team better every practice.  He also brings an energy to practice no one can match,” said Tillett.

He is not only a positive captain, but likes to contribute to the team in other ways,  such as coaching.

Olson said, “I am still a captain and do the best I can to help the team and be a role model for the guys. I also help coach LaBore with the coaching of the running backs.”

The players on the team appreciate Olson coaching and are amazed of how he has  turned his injury into an opportunity to help others.

LaBore explained, “He has so much respect from his teammates that they not only accept his coaching, but I think they appreciate it. I think that they are impressed by the fact that someone who has taken such a hardship has turned it into an opportunity to better himself, his teammates and the team.”

Olson has been accepting of his injuries and doesn’t let it get the best of him.

LaBore explained that Olson, “has something good coming to him for how he has accepted his two season ending injuries and has not dwelled on it, but has just found ways that he can be helpful to his teammates and his coaches and continues to be a source of leadership.”

Olson has taken such a hardship this season, but hasn’t let it bring him down.

LaBore explained Olson’s attitude about his injury, “An attitude that it wasn’t going to get the best of him, so we can call learn a great deal from how he has reacted.”