Valley Vista’s Creston Cooledge is ready to make splash this fall.
Funny thing is he has been…for quite some time.
“I really like swimming,” the 6’5, 275-pound junior offensive lineman said with a big smile to Sports360AZ.com in a recent interview. “I love swimming. I just feels good.”
What probably won’t feel good are opposing defensive ends and edge rushers on upcoming Friday nights trying to get around the mammoth left tackle. Cooledge spent most this summer getting lighter, stronger and quicker as he transitions from guard to the outside for the Monsoon. He trimmed nearly 10 pounds since the end of last season.
It’s all part of the learning process for a young man who’s only been playing football a few years.
Cooledge, who also wrestles at Valley Vista, certainly has his mind right when it comes to the classroom.
“I work hard,” he said. “I’m always studying.”
He enters the first semester of his junior year carrying a 4.0 grade-point-average and one day hopes to pursue sports medicine or sports education.
“He’s good in the classroom,” head coach Josh Sekoch explained. “I’ve never heard any complaints. He’s like a big, gentle giant. He’s not a real loud guy.”
On the field Cooledge’s skill, combined with his smarts, are catching the interest of college coaches. Although he has yet to receive any official scholarship offers there is interest from Arizona State, Arizona, Stanford, San Jose State and Cal among others. He attended camps at ASU, UA, San Jose State and Colorado over the past several weeks.
Sekoch believes there may be another position change for his “gentle giant” at the next level.
“Probably his natural position is center in college,” he said. “He does practice that with us everyday. I don’t think he has the length that teams look for at left tackle.”
Said situation will take care of itself in the next two years.
Now the Monsoon’s focus rests squarely on their showdown August 21st against the two-time defending Division II state champion Saguaro Sabercats who will make the trip out west to Surprise.
Talk about an opportunity to make a splash.
