by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
High school multi-sport athletes often are still in post-season when the next sport season has started.
Lesharo Wildcat is a 6-4, sophomore, multi-sport varsity starter in football, wrestling and track for the Pawhuska High School Huskies, Pawhuska Oklahoma. He is a defensive end on the football team.
Lesharo Wildcat shared his family background: “I come from the Osage, Cherokee, Pawnee, Euchee, Comanche and Kiowa tribes. My Osage name is Hu-tha zhu-tseh and I am a member of the Eagle Clan. I belong to the Wah-xah-o-lin (Pawhuska) District and I am a member of the Kitkehaki band of the Pawnee. I have been dancing in the I-lon-shka dances since I was three years old. My family and I reside in Pawhuska, OK. I am the eldest son of Darrell ‘Beaushee’ Wildcat Jr. (Pawnee, Euchee, Kiowa, and Comanche) and Mary Grayce Bighorse Wildcat (Osage-Cherokee). I have three younger brothers and one sister: Vann, Jimmie, Sky and Nahmee.”
The Pawhuska HS football season ended recently in the third week of playoffs. Wrestling season started but Lesharo is continuing to work on his football fundamentals. Reason being he was selected to play in the International Bowl Football Game, presented by USA Football, on January 15, 2020. The USA U-16 Select will play U16 Panama at 8:30 am CST. The game will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX and will be live-streamed by ESPN3.
The International Bowl features top athletic talent in an outstanding facility with global teams participating. “I went to the first regional camp in March then I was picked for the second camp in June and from there I was picked to play,” said Lesharo.
“They also needed film on me but I never played defensive end until this year so they waited to see what I looked like in a real game and they thought I looked pretty good,” added Lesharo.
The elite players on each team, whether they are at Pawhuska HS or on the national team, are looked up to provide elite thinking to their teammates. “I bring to my team my hard working mindset,” said Lesharo. “I know everything I want to do on the field I have to work hard for it in the weight room and in the class room. Also, by me working hard in practice also helps my teammates get better as well. Giving my teammates my best effort makes Friday nights easy and it also makes me better.”
Student athletes represent many entities and not only themselves. “When I go out on that field I know that I’m representing not only myself, but my family and the whole Indian community. It makes me want to do my best. Being an athlete has helped make me be a better person overall,” added Lesharo.
Good things are happening to Pawhuska HS Huskies Football. The team finished the season last weekend in the Oklahoma HS Football Playoffs quarterfinals in a loss to Ringling 28-12. The team ended the season with an 11-2 record. The program is moving up and prior to last season, the Huskies won only four games in three seasons including a winless season in 2017.
“My football coach Matt Hennesy has shown me how football can shape me into a better man and will provide me with life lessons,” said Lesharo. “He has completely changed my whole view on being a student-athlete.”
“I’m very proud of Lesharo for making the International Bowl,” said Coach Matt. “It is a huge honor for him, his family, our program, the Pawhuska community, and the whole Osage Nation. He has worked very hard to get to this point and continues to work on his skills as well is size, strength, and speed!”
The multi-sport high school athlete may be one of the reasons teams are improving in all sports. “I just try to stay in the gym as much as I can and getting stronger and stronger everyday,” said Lesharo. “Wrestling helps me be in a whole lot better shape with running up and down that field. I still work all my pass rush moves everyday before school in the gym and after school at my house.”
Lesharo shared advice for future student athletes: “You have to work hard on and off the field if you want to be a successful student athlete. I am a student athlete who is very active in my Native American culture, who values family and God.”
Photographs Credit: M.Ross Mashunkashey
Proud of you for being a good role model for native youth!