by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Benicio Fuentes is a 6’3, 320 lb. junior offensive tackle for Norman North High School in Oklahoma. He is an Oneida born in Albuquerque, NM and lives with mom Jennifer (Oneida), dad Jose Alfredo, and big brother Diego Fuentes in Norman.
Benicio began as a varsity starter as a sophomore last year and progressed into a solid starter this recent past season. “I worked hard at improving my physical strength in the weight room and focused on becoming a more physical lineman,” said Benicio. “I think I did a good job at blocking and creating gaps for our run game.”
“I am a persistent go getter,” said Benicio. “When I am playing football, I work to win and focus all my energy on that. I find a lot of enjoyment in the sport and I think that shows on the field.”
The primary supporters of many student athletes are their families. “My family is my strongest connection to who I am as a student athlete,” said Benicio. “I contribute my successes to their support and examples.”
“Benicio is smart and knows what he wants,” said dad Alfredo. “In many ways he reminds me of myself – a man of few words. He works hard and is always trying to get better. He fills the roles on his team with 100% of his abilities. Any position he fills he finds his way to being better. He bonds with his teammates and has tight connections with them. Athletics is only one part of his growth, but it is an important part of his development. Athletics has given him discipline, keeps him on the right path, helps him to make good friendship connections, and solid direction for his future.”
“I am extremely proud to be his dad and I could never ask for anything more from him. He continues to impress me with his kindness and generous spirit. He is a great son, student, and athlete,” added Alfredo.
Mom Jennifer talked about her son: “He comes from a long line of strong and amazing family members. From his great, great grandpa Martin Wheelock (football), to Grandpa Carlos Fuentes (baseball), uncle Dave Wheelock (rugby), and his dad Alfredo Fuentes (semi-pro basketball in Mexico) and many others. In my opinion his abilities, talent, and strengths are directly tied to his ancestors and family. He was born into his role and he recognized it before anyone else. The incredible support and love from his family is his biggest asset and truly the reason he continues to grow. His passion has grabbed a hold of many of us and I consider us his super fans. You can see him translate his family experience onto the field and vice versa. All of his work on the field and in the gym has given him so much in return. Athletics has given Benicio so much in the way of life lessons, such as discipline, work ethic, responsibility, and motivation. It has taught him how to lose without shame, and how to win with humility. These lessons transfer directly into all aspects of his life including academics, family relations, peer relations, and community involvement.”
Benicio has the extended family genetics as an offensive lineman to Martin F. Wheelock (1874-1937). Martin F. Wheelock is Benicio’s great, great grandfather. Wheelock was an Oneida football player who played tackle for the Carlisle Indian School from 1894-1902. He was a first-team All American in 1899, a second-team All American in 1901 and an All University Team member in 1902. Coach Pop Warner named Wheelock to the 1913 All Time American Indian Team. In 1980, he was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. A Wikipedia profile is located here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Wheelock
Maternal Grandmother Anne Wheelock Gonzales shared: “We are proud of our grandson Benicio’s participation in and commitment to high school football. He knows of his great great grandfather Martin F. Wheelock’s football history at Carlisle Indian School during the 1890’s until 1902. As the football program developed at Carlisle, it became a way for the players not only to express their athletic prowess, but also was an avenue to help them survive the confines of boarding school and the trauma of having been far removed from their homes and families. To this day, sports can enhance a student’s education by demanding physical wellbeing and success in the classroom. Football has continued to touch our family: Benicio’s great uncle played in high school and was on a college team before he developed a passion for rugby, the predecessor to American football. Benicio’s uncle also played in high school. While other sports were available to Benicio, it seems fitting that he chose football.”
“Sports is a great activity for high school kids,” said maternal grandfather Ernest Gonzales. “Gives them physical conditioning and life lessons. I’m glad Benicio is participating and has the motivation to play sports.”
“I am impressed with the level of football that Benicio is playing,” recalled Grandmother Anne. “I remember watching him when he was little. Well, he was really never little, but I called the young players “bobble heads” because their helmets were so big for their small stature. Benicio was usually the biggest kid on the team.”
Justin Jones, Head Football Coach, Norman North HS said: “When you talk about Benicio as a football player, the first thing that comes to my mind is physicality. He is an absolute mauler in run blocking situations. Benicio is a very good offensive lineman that has a very bright future ahead of him, both as he finishes high school, and at the college level. He has the size and the intelligence to become a great offensive lineman. Benicio started every game for us this year and has been one of the leaders on our offensive line. He continues to get better with his fundamentals both in pass protection and our run schemes. We are glad that Benicio is on our team. He makes our offense and our program better!”
“I plan on going to college and would like to play football at that level,” said Benicio. “Athletics helps me be more disciplined and focused on and off the field. That will help me in academics as well as athletics.”
Benicio shares advice to other student athletes to be successful in the classroom and athletics: “Finding resources at school to help get your class work done. I used a tutor and had to work on time management to be able to be successful. Do not afraid to ask for help. And falling behind can make super hard to catch up, so try not to get behind. Get help at the first sign of any struggle. Athletics requires following directions and staying focused. So just work hard and accomplish the team goals.”
Benicio Fuentes has a HUDL account of game clips: http://www.hudl.com/profile/9874799/Benicio-Fuentes
Photo’s Credit: Jennifer Gonzales Fuentes
I’m his cousin from Wisconsin, and am very proud of Benicio!!!