Timeout with …
Published 12:01 am Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Dillon Wright and his band of gridiron brothers relentlessly defend their turf.
It’s fitting preparation for Wright, who aspires to protect his beloved country.
Wright, a Meadowdale High School senior, is an outside linebacker on the Mavericks’ unbeaten, state-ranked football team. The co-captain hopes to help lead Meadowdale to the Western Conference 3A title and a deep playoff run that culminates at the Tacoma Dome.
Wright also has his sights set on an education at the United States Military Academy at West Point and a rewarding career in the Army.
“I’ve always wanted to serve this country,” said Wright, whose dad is an Army colonel stationed at Fort Lewis. “I have a big passion for it. I want to give back.”
Coach’s corner
Known as a consistent, dedicated teammate, Wright “has worked really, really hard to make himself into a varsity player. He’s just kind of the ideal team leader,” Meadowdale coach Mark Stewart said.
Unbreakable bond
Although he has enjoyed competing in other sports (wrestling and track) during his high school career, Wright said nothing compares to football: “It’s one of the only sports where you go through a whole week of practicing with your buddies to go out and compete with them. The camaraderie with all your teammates — I just really enjoy that.”
Dominant ‘D’
A first-year varsity starter, Wright is a valuable member of Meadowdale’s stingy defense that held Everett scoreless on Friday in the Mavs’ 35-0 win. Meadowdale has limited opposing teams to an average of eight points per game. “We have a really strong defense at every level: D-line, linebackers and DBs,” Wright said. “Our linebacking crew is really a close-knit, strong group.” Along with Wright, Meadowdale’s starting linebackers are Max Neff Warner, Michael Cummings, Corwin Perkins and Kyle Newsom.
Texas loyalty
Wright was born in Georgia, but his dad grew up in Texas so Wright has always been a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys, the University of Texas Longhorns and the World Series-bound Texas Rangers.
Always adapting
Mostly due to his dad’s military job, Wright has lived in five states: Georgia, Idaho, North Carolina, Colorado and Washington, where he has remained throughout high school. Moving around so much has been difficult in some ways but also rewarding, said Wright: “Looking back on it, I think I’ve benefited from it. I’ve been open to a lot more experiences.”
Favorite flick
Although he likes “Remember the Titans,” Wright’s favorite sports movie — without a doubt — is “Friday Night Lights” (2004) starring Billy Bob Thornton as Gary Gaines, coach of the Permian High Panthers in Odessa, Texas. “It just connected with me more than any other sports movie, said Wright, who absorbed the intense sports atmosphere in Texas during childhood visits to his relatives.
Pursuing his dream
For as long as he can remember, Wright has wanted to be a cadet in the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York. He recently completed a rigorous West Point application process that covered nearly 10 months. It included teacher evaluations, academic transcripts, a grueling physical test and a nomination based on his dad’s military service record. Wright, who had a 3.73 grade-point average entering this school year, expects to hear from the West Point admissions staff later this month.
Chow
Wright loves Chinese food. His favorite restaurant is P.F. Chang’s China Bistro. He usually orders General Tso’s chicken.
Tunes
Most of the time Wright listens to country music, but he also likes Seattle hip-hop and rap artists who he discovered when he moved here from Colorado. The last concert Wright went to was a Zac Brown Band show at Comcast Arena.
As told to Mike Cane, Herald Writer
