Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Braeden Clark

Oswego IL

29 April, 2022

2:51 PM

Description

Senior Braeden Clark did not see himself as a volleyball player growing up. Braeden's first love was football, a sport he played throughout his youth through his freshman year of high school. However, when an opportunity to volleyball arose in 7th grade, Braeden made a decision that would alter his athletic course and has emerged as one of the best outside hitters in both the area and the state. His athletic accomplishments, as well as the leadership he has been able to provide the Wolves, are why he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week. Despite having played football most of his life, a sport Braeden enjoyed, he had the opportunity to join the boy's volleyball team in the 7th grade, the first time it was offered to boys at Murphy Junior High. "My shop teacher and the head volleyball coach, Mrs. Steele, really encouraged me to give volleyball a chance," says Braeden. Admittedly, Braeden was not a natural star at the sport. "I tried out and was on the B team, usually not in the starting lineup, because I really did not know what I was doing at that point," says Braeden. However, Braeden admits he enjoyed the sport and started playing competitive club volleyball at Club One the following summer. Braeden's mother, Dawn, remembers Braeden deciding to make a commitment to volleyball after his freshman season. "Braeden played football for nine seasons and did well, but halfway through his freshman season he decided he was done with football and was going to commit 100% to volleyball," says Dawn. Former head volleyball coach Brian Zerfas, who had known Braeden since he was at Murphy Junior High, knew Braeden was someone whose personality would be a good fit for the program. "I distinctively remember meeting Braeden in middle school," says Brian. He goes on to say, "He had a great deal of energy and enthusiasm about the sport and that seemed to be infectious for his teammates as well." After his freshman season, Braeden switched clubs to Sport Performance, for what he describes as a more competitive and dedicated track that would help him prepare for college. When he returned as a sophomore, Braeden's talents caught up with his passion for the sport, and he was able to make the varsity as only a sophomore. "Volleyball is a sport that is built on dedication to your craft," says Brian. He goes on to say, "Braeden is no exception to that and has worked extremely hard to grow as a player and put himself in the position he is in." Braeden's hard work would see him be ranked in the state as an individual for the class of 2022, but it was the leadership he brought to the team that makes him so special. Head coach Matt Guerrieri has made Braeden the captain of the program, and with a young team this year, Braeden's leadership has been vital to the young Wolves' growth as a team. "Braeden has not been afraid to take charge at all levels that he has played," says Matt. He goes on to say, "He works to support players at other levels and gives consistent feedback to younger players." The Wolves have been bitten by the injury bug early in the season, which has forced into service some of the younger players, and their growth is something for which Braeden takes responsibility. "We need to make sure we get our younger guys experience and in situations to make big plays because they will be crucial towards the end of the season and the playoffs," says Braeden. Braeden's willingness to help younger athletes does not end with his teammates. "Braeden has gone back to Murphy Junior High to help with volleyball intramural and the junior high volleyball team," says Dawn. She goes on to say, "It was so fun to watch him interact with the boys and give them someone to look up to. They were very excited to learn from him and see what they could do to become a better player, and Braeden's example shows them the places they can go when they put in extra work." Despite having numerous opportunities to play in a collegiate program, Braeden will enroll this fall at Iowa State University and major in Construction Engineering with a minor in Business. Braeden took part in Oswego East's Project Lead the Way as a freshman, which has helped solidify his decision for his future career. "The program helped him choose his college major, and he is currently enrolled in the capstone class, Honors Engineering Design and Development." His engineering teacher, Anthony Holub, taught Braeden as a sophomore and now again as a senior, and is not only impressed with his abilities in engineering but how much growth he has shown over the past two years. "Braeden exudes a charisma that is infectious in the classroom and has a genuine interest and love for learning that rubs off on other students in class," says Anthony. He goes on to say, "Braeden will succeed in construction engineering and business because he has a relentless passion for these areas, in addition to his strong interpersonal skills. I'm pleased to see Braeden's growth both academically and socially this year, and I am impressed with how he has navigated the pandemic from where he started when I taught him as a sophomore two years ago." Even though Braeden will not be playing volleyball at the collegiate level, he will still be competing in beach and regular volleyball at the club level. Despite having to deal with adversity early on in the season, Braeden and his teammates are preparing for a strong finish and lengthy run come playoff time. For those Murphy Junior High students, and all others who will be attending OE in the fall, Braeden advises them by saying, "there's no reason to not go out of your way to meet people by being involved in either sports or clubs, so try to get to know as many people as possible and make friends." The Wolves will continue to work to bond as a team, and as the younger players emerge, they look to be a dangerous club come playoff time.