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Senior Spotlight – Jacob Calawerts – Bay Port Football, Track

Rich Palzewic, Correspondent


Jacob Calawerts is a senior at Bay Port playing on the Pirates’ football team. JC, as his friends call him, is playing for the first time since his sophomore year after having surgery on his left knee for Osteochondritis Dissecans, a condition in which there is a loss of blood supply to the cartilage on the bottom of the femur. Jacob plans to attend either Minnesota or Wisconsin to study business or architectural engineering.
Name: Jacob Calawerts
Nickname: JC
Parents: Chris & Patti Calawerts
School: Bay Port
Sports: Football, track
Twitter: @jccal21
What was it like having to sit out all of last year? “I still showed up to practices, filmed and did as much as I could, but it was bittersweet. I was happy to see their success, but I wish I could have been more a part of it.”
Do you have any lingering effects from the surgery? “I do not. I feel the best I have in a long time.”
What are you hoping for this season? “I’m just going to try and run hard every game, run like I have a fresh pair of legs and stay healthy.”
Have you ever played any other high school sports? “I did track my freshman and sophomore year and played basketball my freshman year. I plan on doing track again next spring.”
How about a sport you wish you could have played? “If I hadn’t been in football, I’d still like to be doing soccer.”
What’s it like having Coach Westerman as your football coach? “He’s a great guy to be around and to learn from. He focuses on football, but he also teaches you to be a strong man as well. He always says not to be afraid to tell your dad that ‘I love you’ and don’t be emotionless.”
Does he ever wear his hat the “normal” way? “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that (laughing)…and he’s always wearing something gray.”
What is your most memorable sports moment? “Just last year being a part of the (11-1 state playoff) team. Going into the season we were underrated for what we had.”
Name a famous person you would like to have lunch with. “Barry Sanders, just from the football aspect.”
Do you run like Barry? “I’d like to think I do! I can make a cut when I need to, but run someone over, too.”
How about a place in the USA where you haven’t visited that you’d like to? “Alaska, because I like hunting, fishing, being outdoors and just the atmosphere there.”
What is something about you most people wouldn’t know? “That I’m the youngest of six kids (four girls, two boys) in my family. My oldest sister is 34 and my two oldest siblings are married with kids, so I’m already an uncle.”
What three words best describe you? “Hard-working, dedicated, faithful.”
Dogs or cats? “Dogs.”
Watch the movie or read the book? “Watch the movie.”
Lie on the beach or ski down the slopes? “Lie on the beach.”
Tiny house or tree house? “Tiny house.”
Tent camping or camper? “Tent camping.”
How will Jacob Calawerts be remembered at Bay Port? “Hopefully how I didn’t give up after my knee injury and admit defeat. I hope that translates to my character as a person and as a student.”
Favorites:
Food: steak
Movie: Dumb & Dumber
Subject: math
TV show: The Big Bang Theory
App: Snapchat
Coach Gary Westerman’s comments: “Jacob is a great kid and was a really good tailback as a sophomore. He had the unfortunate knee injury, but has worked really hard. His work ethic, character and toughness really set him apart. He deserves to have a great year.”
Note: Suggestions for the Senior Spotlight can be submitted to Rich via email ([email protected]) or by Twitter (@richpalzewic).

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