By: Carter Gribble
SEATTLE- In the early hours before the city of Seattle starts its day, the O'Dea brothers make their way to the infamous weight room managed by Coach P. At a sharp 6 am start, the journey to better each other begins. The program has long-lasting effects stretching beyond the walls of O'Dea, as proven by alum Lucas Engles-Klann, better known as (EK).
Originally, EK decided to attend morning workouts because he didn’t like to work out in a crowded gym after school. So he decided to take a leap of faith and set the alarm for 4:45 am.
It was a grind at first, but once EK got in a rhythm and started going to bed early, he began to grow fond of the early start to the day. Less traffic, an hour to study after workouts, and a productive start to the day with his brothers.
But for EK, morning workouts were so much more than just an alarm in the morning. It was the focal point of his day. EK said morning workouts "instilled a heightened sense of responsibility within me."
With assignments to complete, exams to prepare for, and extracurricular activities demanding attention, those early hours after workouts became precious moments to prioritize and plan.
And prioritize he did; EK took Mr. Moor's infamous AP Calc class his senior year, and every day after workouts, EK was doing test corrections, homework, and trying to grasp the material to the best of his ability.
While many complained, EK was putting in the work. EK found that this mindset fostered by 6ams would go on to serve him in more ways than just finding derivatives.
Throughout senior year in the class of '23, senioritis was rampant, kids consistently showed up late, and grades dropped fast. Not EK though, he was not going to let that happen because, according to him, "time is just an opportunity to better yourself." EK throughout senior year would go on to have an impressive streak of gritty wins.
First off, EK got into college at Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth. Not only did he get accepted, but he was accepted with an impressive scholarship due to his academic excellence during his time at O'Dea. Without hesitation, EK put the deposit down for the next four years of his life.
After that, there was an opportunity for EK to slow down, and take a break from the AP Calculus grind. He didn’t, because that wouldn’t be bettering himself. EK continued to stick with this motto and embodied constant improvement throughout the year.
EK would go on to win the Brotherhood Award, Fighting Irish Lifter of the Week, and the Excellence in Social Studies Award at graduation, and attended ICDC for DECA. EK said this "was a huge deal and accomplishment for me as I was able to get a lot of business and professional experience."
Most importantly, EK embodied this mindset after graduation in the summer and currently as he is attending TCU.
Over the summer, EK coached a youth baseball team and guided the team on what it means to be a gentleman. Similar to O'Dea's coined phrase "an O'Dea gentleman," EK wanted to empower as well as inform these kids of the responsibility they bear as members of their community.
After that, EK joined the Greek system at TCU and is now on two different committees in his fraternity where he will help with philanthropy and rush for the spring and next fall.
When EK was asked what he values most from his time at O'Dea, he said, "O'Dea taught me a lot, but I will never underestimate the power of a network and, more importantly, brotherhood. That’s why I joined a frat because I wanted to keep that part of me alive throughout college."
EK said the transition between home and TCU was aided by the brotherhood within his frat.
If we as an O'Dea community can take anything away from EK, it's never to take your foot off the gas.
An O'Dea gentleman isn't just polite and considerate; he is a driven and motivated individual. It's safe to say EK is not just an O'Dea gentleman but a role model for the O'Dea community.
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