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For the record, I never actually got to see Will Ryan play in high school. I didn’t start working here at the Times until mid-November, which was too late to see the senior take his final snaps in a PR uniform.
But I heard great things from a lot of people — a lot of people.
As the seasons changed I covered Ryan throughout basketball and baseball (which he is very good at as well) and I got to know him. Great athlete and an even better person. Very humble, well spoken and polite. Athletically, not only did his skills impress me, but his attitude stood out as well. Team first, led by example, always showed up to play and play hard.
Then came Saint Mary’s fall camp where his new head coach, Lance Hinson, dropped a subtle comment about him. We were talking about impact newcomers and he began speaking about Ryan. I can’t remember the exact quote, but the words involved workhorse, stud and bright future. To say the least, Hinson was excited about him.
The comment stuck in my craw because I wasn't expecting it and so when the season began I kept my eyes on his stats. It’s been a slow start for Ryan and that makes sense because he is a true freshmen playing college ball. Before Saturday, his best game was a 32-yard performance against Tabor where he got seven total touches.
However, that changed this weekend and changed in a big way. Ryan took over as the team’s lead back and busted out for 116 yards on 16 carries and his first touchdown as a Spire.
The added rushing threat helped USM upset No. 14 ranked and undefeated Bethany University, and energized a team that has suffered through some rough losses earlier this year.
When I saw the stats, I smiled for I know this is just the beginning.
I’m a firm believer in good things happen to good people, and I think this reinforces that. Ryan is a fine young man and it’s going to be neat watching him represent the Pleasant Ridge community, the USM community and quite honestly, the Leavenworth County community for the next four years.
It’s important to remember these dates; the process matters as much as the end result, and for that, congratulations Will.
Brent Lager joined the Leavenworth Times in 2010 after a year and a half of covering high school sports for the Platte County Citizen. Before that, he previously worked for the Columbia Missourian as well as Cumulus Broadcasting in Columbia, Mo.
