Halfway through the year, seniors are about to be out in the real world, who has a plan?
Carter Vanek, a senior at Lakeland high school, has committed to the Carroll College football program.
“I love football so I chose to keep playing, but it also gives me better education opportunities because I get paid to go to school,” Vanak said, “I love the coaches and I have family near Helena.”
He will be studying physical therapy as he goes into college and that was another reason he chose to play at Carroll College rather than his other offers.
“The other schools were more engineering, and I’m not good with numbers,” Vanek said.
Vanek has been a part of Lakeland athletics all four years of high school and has been a varsity football player since he was a freshman.
“I would say compared to the rest of competition on the field he has always been more dominant,” Haydon Benson said, “He has a physical advantage on the field and he puts it to good use.”
Vanek and Benson have been on the same team since they were in fourth grade.
“He plays a very cooperative role when on the field and sets a good leadership example to other athletes,” Benson said.
Vanek is a great example of how an athlete should act. He has great sportsmanship and does his part on the field to help his team.
His junior year he decided to take an interest in wrestling and was able to place fourth at state in his first year on the Lakeland High School wrestling team. Due to injury, he was unable to wrestle through his senior year, only getting the chance to wrestle a few matches.
“For the one short season I was there it was a lot of fun,” Vanek said, “It did come to an abrupt stop and I miss it.”
Vanek is excited to continue his education and begin this new chapter of his life leaving high school behind and furthering his career.
