May 18, 2022

By Derrick Smith

Role models play a big part in the lives of high school student-athletes. While some look up to celebrities or professional athletes, others may look up to someone who is a part of their everyday life. Caden Green says that the person that is the biggest role model for him is his dad.

“My dad is the biggest influence in my life because he did not let an injury keep him down,” he said. “He lost his leg when he was in the military, but he still runs and plays sports with me and my siblings and he never quits no matter how hard things may get.”

As a sophomore at Collinsville High School, Green is a member of the school’s track and football teams. He competes in the hurdles on the track, while on the football field he plays running back and safety. 

Becoming the athlete that he is today is something that did not just happen overnight. Instead, Caden has invested a lot of time and effort into getting to where he is today.

“There is a lot that goes into being the best that you can be,” he said. “You have to put in a lot of hard work and not quit, no matter how hard it may get. You just have to trust yourself and know that you can get the job done.”

Sean Tesar, the boys’ track coach at Collinsville, says that Green is an outstanding athlete that has a lot of potential.

“Caden is only a sophomore for us, but he had a great season last year and I look for more this season,” coach Tesar said. “He was the Metro Lakes Conference Champion in the 110 hurdles and placed third in the 110 hurdles at the Class 5A state track meet.”

With only a year of varsity track under his belt, Green is looking forward to a big career on the track. But he says that making it to state his freshman year would be the highlight moment so far.

“Finishing third at state my freshman year was really great,” he said. “I am excited to compete again this year and the next few years.”

May 18, 2022