Caleb Shudak’s arrival in Iowa City officially put him back to square one.
Just another step in making his dream come true.
The now former Lewis Central four-sport standout arrived at the beginning of August at the University of Iowa for preseason football practice. He has one goal: to win the kicking job for the Hawkeyes as a walk-on.
“I’m kind of back down as the little guy,” Shudak said. “I’ve got to make a name for myself and show people who I am. Really, I’ve got to do it all over again.
“I’m ready for it. It’s going to be fun.”
Only four years ago, Shudak entered L.C. as a talented and ambitious freshman. He competed at the varsity level immediately in football, swimming, tennis and baseball. He wasn’t put on a roster as an up-and-comer just to add depth to a team; he was there to be a difference-maker, and he didn’t let his coaches down.
“He blended in so well his freshman year that you couldn’t even tell that there was a difference in age and grade level,” L.C. baseball coach Lee Toole said. “If you look at all four sports that he participated in during his freshman year playing at the varsity level, if you were a spectator in the stands, you wouldn’t have been able to tell without looking at the roster in the program what grade he was in. He just fit right in and had that maturity and that way of himself that he stepped in and contributed from the start.”
That was only the beginning of what became a stellar four-year, four-sport run. Shudak capped his prep career with a senior year full of success in every venture. He fought off injury to help the L.C. football team make a run to the Class 4-A state quarterfinals as a kicker, defensive back and wide receiver. He qualified for the state swimming meet in the 200-yard medley relay, 400 freestyle relay and 100 backstroke during the winter before winning the No. 1 singles championship in the Hawkeye Ten Conference tennis tournament in the spring. He ended the year as a member of the Class 4-A first-team all-state baseball squad after helping L.C. to a 32-6 record and a win shy of a state tournament. He did his part as the team’s ace, going 7-2 with a 0.88 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 64 innings while adding a .310 average, 37 runs and 29 RBIs.
Today, Shudak lands one final prep honor as The Daily Nonpareil’s City Male Athlete of the Year.
Shudak remembers what life was like when he was new at L.C. four years ago. He earned the opportunity to play as a freshman in all sports, but he was still a fresh face trying to fit in with a new, older team.
“Freshman year, I would always talk to guys and they would be so nice about everything, always helping me out,” Shudak said. “Everybody gets ripped on by the coach once or twice. It was nice to see them after I got ripped to help me out.”
He made a point to remember those times as he went from newcomer to veteran, going out of his way to make sure his teammates were in their comfort zone.
“You can’t tear them down verbally; you have to be able to help them out if you’re going to be successful,” Shudak said. “We need backups. We need everybody to be involved in the game.”
A difficult task awaits at Iowa. Landing the kicking job isn’t a guarantee, and it won’t be easy although Shudak is certainly qualified. He made all 27 PAT attempts as a senior and 5 of 9 field goals. His longest came from 43 yards, although he’s capable of converting from as far as 55.
Those who have watched him grow over the years are anxious to see his efforts focused on one skill in a single sport.
“I think coaches and people like myself are going to finally get the opportunity to see Caleb Shudak as just a kicker and not having to play defense and offense and then going out to kick,” L.C. football coach Jim Duggan said. “Now, he’s going to get the opportunity to go out there and focus on one thing. The sky is the limit for what he can accomplish down the road. I won’t be surprised to see him on TV on Saturdays kicking off or field-goal kicking or doing something for Iowa this year.”
That’s thanks to a work ethic that cares more about putting in the work and being a good teammate than any big stat.
“It was never, ‘I went 3 for 3.’ Or, ‘I scored four touchdowns,’” Shudak said. “The sidelines in football were always yelling about a passed ball if we needed an interception because we knew the ball was in the air. The dugout was nice and loud when we were down, and that helped motivate and keep momentum on our side. It changed some games.”
Shudak’s coaches are quick to point out that his character is his greatest asset. He’s a teammate and role model before kicker, swimmer, tennis player or pitcher.
“Oh, boy, there’s going to be a big void in the lineup, no matter what sport you’re looking at where he contributed,” Toole said. “He was an impact in all four sports and even track when he participated as a junior. He put in the time and effort to become better. He was always working in the offseason to make the next sport one step better than the previous year, yet was competing in the sport he was currently involved in. That’s what made him such a special person. I think anyone out there would love to have their kids grow up to be like Caleb.”
http://www.nonpareilonline.com/spor...cle_8737fb2a-68d9-11e6-a8a7-2f0bcdcd3426.html
Just another step in making his dream come true.
The now former Lewis Central four-sport standout arrived at the beginning of August at the University of Iowa for preseason football practice. He has one goal: to win the kicking job for the Hawkeyes as a walk-on.
“I’m kind of back down as the little guy,” Shudak said. “I’ve got to make a name for myself and show people who I am. Really, I’ve got to do it all over again.
“I’m ready for it. It’s going to be fun.”
Only four years ago, Shudak entered L.C. as a talented and ambitious freshman. He competed at the varsity level immediately in football, swimming, tennis and baseball. He wasn’t put on a roster as an up-and-comer just to add depth to a team; he was there to be a difference-maker, and he didn’t let his coaches down.
“He blended in so well his freshman year that you couldn’t even tell that there was a difference in age and grade level,” L.C. baseball coach Lee Toole said. “If you look at all four sports that he participated in during his freshman year playing at the varsity level, if you were a spectator in the stands, you wouldn’t have been able to tell without looking at the roster in the program what grade he was in. He just fit right in and had that maturity and that way of himself that he stepped in and contributed from the start.”
That was only the beginning of what became a stellar four-year, four-sport run. Shudak capped his prep career with a senior year full of success in every venture. He fought off injury to help the L.C. football team make a run to the Class 4-A state quarterfinals as a kicker, defensive back and wide receiver. He qualified for the state swimming meet in the 200-yard medley relay, 400 freestyle relay and 100 backstroke during the winter before winning the No. 1 singles championship in the Hawkeye Ten Conference tennis tournament in the spring. He ended the year as a member of the Class 4-A first-team all-state baseball squad after helping L.C. to a 32-6 record and a win shy of a state tournament. He did his part as the team’s ace, going 7-2 with a 0.88 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 64 innings while adding a .310 average, 37 runs and 29 RBIs.
Today, Shudak lands one final prep honor as The Daily Nonpareil’s City Male Athlete of the Year.
Shudak remembers what life was like when he was new at L.C. four years ago. He earned the opportunity to play as a freshman in all sports, but he was still a fresh face trying to fit in with a new, older team.
“Freshman year, I would always talk to guys and they would be so nice about everything, always helping me out,” Shudak said. “Everybody gets ripped on by the coach once or twice. It was nice to see them after I got ripped to help me out.”
He made a point to remember those times as he went from newcomer to veteran, going out of his way to make sure his teammates were in their comfort zone.
“You can’t tear them down verbally; you have to be able to help them out if you’re going to be successful,” Shudak said. “We need backups. We need everybody to be involved in the game.”
A difficult task awaits at Iowa. Landing the kicking job isn’t a guarantee, and it won’t be easy although Shudak is certainly qualified. He made all 27 PAT attempts as a senior and 5 of 9 field goals. His longest came from 43 yards, although he’s capable of converting from as far as 55.
Those who have watched him grow over the years are anxious to see his efforts focused on one skill in a single sport.
“I think coaches and people like myself are going to finally get the opportunity to see Caleb Shudak as just a kicker and not having to play defense and offense and then going out to kick,” L.C. football coach Jim Duggan said. “Now, he’s going to get the opportunity to go out there and focus on one thing. The sky is the limit for what he can accomplish down the road. I won’t be surprised to see him on TV on Saturdays kicking off or field-goal kicking or doing something for Iowa this year.”
That’s thanks to a work ethic that cares more about putting in the work and being a good teammate than any big stat.
“It was never, ‘I went 3 for 3.’ Or, ‘I scored four touchdowns,’” Shudak said. “The sidelines in football were always yelling about a passed ball if we needed an interception because we knew the ball was in the air. The dugout was nice and loud when we were down, and that helped motivate and keep momentum on our side. It changed some games.”
Shudak’s coaches are quick to point out that his character is his greatest asset. He’s a teammate and role model before kicker, swimmer, tennis player or pitcher.
“Oh, boy, there’s going to be a big void in the lineup, no matter what sport you’re looking at where he contributed,” Toole said. “He was an impact in all four sports and even track when he participated as a junior. He put in the time and effort to become better. He was always working in the offseason to make the next sport one step better than the previous year, yet was competing in the sport he was currently involved in. That’s what made him such a special person. I think anyone out there would love to have their kids grow up to be like Caleb.”
http://www.nonpareilonline.com/spor...cle_8737fb2a-68d9-11e6-a8a7-2f0bcdcd3426.html
