Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Ben Burns

Oswego IL

08 October, 2021

10:28 AM

Description

Senior Ben Burns has faced his share of adversity on and off the soccer field during his four years at OE. Despite the challenges of an ongoing pandemic, a broken leg, and early self-doubts, Ben has emerged as a statistical leader for the Wolves during one of their best seasons in school history. His passion and dedication to improving himself and his teammates are why he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week. Ben started his career very early in life, playing with the Wheatland Associations from age 3 to 6 before eventually joining a club team. Despite his passion and skill for soccer, Ben always felt undersized, which was only exacerbated as he got older. After his freshman season at OE, Ben took a step away from club soccer. However, that summer saw a massive growth spurt of 5 inches and 30 pounds, giving Ben a renewed sense of self-confidence and an opportunity to showcase his skills as a sophomore on the JV team. After a successful sophomore season, Ben made the varsity team as a junior, a season that was pushed back to the spring and shortened because of the pandemic, when Ben was devastated by a broken leg incurred right before the season. "Ben broke his leg and had surgery about four weeks before tryouts," says Erin Burns, Ben's mom. She adds, "He was devastated, and due to the severity of the injury he was unable to do any rehab for the first 8 weeks." Head coach Steve Szymanski thought Ben's junior year was a lost cause, saying, "No one, including me and his parents, thought he would play at all last year." However, Ben was cleared late in the season, and despite being out of playing shape, Ben was not only able to play but contribute to the team. "Ben's desire and work rate to be on the field and contribute was second to none," says Steve. He goes on to say, "Ben ended up with 2 goals and an assist in maybe only 80 minutes of total action." After the season, Ben met with Head Coach Szymanski to discuss his junior season and expectations for his senior year. "I told coach I was going to get 20 goals, and I kind of thought it was a little lofty and a bit of a joke." However, that lofty goal has turned into a reality as Ben leads the team with 17 goals and is second on the team with 9 assists. Ben's success on the field, and motivation for individual success, are driven by the camaraderie he shares with his teammates. "I've known all of my teammates for high school and we all hang out together and are best friends," says Ben. Erin sees how special the bond is between her son and friends, saying, "The varsity group of boys is special through and through." She goes on to add, "They have a team attitude and desire to see each other succeed. It is this camaraderie that has made this not only a successful season for Ben but definitely one of his most memorable." Coach Szymanski credits Ben's positive attitude for playing an integral role in the cohesion of his team, saying, "Ben leads by keeping things light with the group. We have a very close-knit team and Ben is one of the funnier guys. He is also a tremendous leader on the field and likes to have the ball at his feet. The team gets along incredibly well, like a group of brothers. This is probably the closest team I have coached in my 15 years as a head coach." A 12-2-1 record puts the Wolves in a position to win the conference and make one of the deepest runs in the playoffs in school history. Ben believes it is that camaraderie that has them off to one of the best starts in school history, saying, "We have lots of chemistry between us with passes, and we know what each other will do with the ball. It makes the game really fluid for us and we really have a lot of fun." The success Ben has on the field carries over to the classroom, as he boasts a 4.2 G.P.A. and a 28 on the ACT. Playing soccer may be an option for Ben in college, he also has an interest in attending a large out-of-state university he is looking to attend and majoring in business. "I thought about engineering, but I started doing some personal investing this past summer and started taking business classes this year at OE and fell in love with it," says Ben. Stacy Sadjer Adams, one of Ben's business teachers, sees a student who will excel in the field, saying, "Ben actively participates in all business discussions, produces high-quality work, and is a team player on and off the field and it shows in the classroom. He has school spirit and is a leader in the classroom." Having gone through an athletic journey filled with obstacles, during the peculiar time period of attending high school during a pandemic, Ben has managed to rise above those challenges and he and his teammates are in a position to do something no other boys soccer team has done in school history. Looking back on his very unique four years, Ben advises future Wolves by saying, "Enjoy every moment because this is the fastest four years I have ever experienced." Hopefully, time will slow down enough for Ben and his teammates to enjoy their current, and hopefully future, successes, both on and off the field.