Standout Student: Champlin Park’s Treyvon Cahalan
In Champlin Park’s food prep fundamentals class, students have the task of eating chicken and vegetable stir fry. Seventeen-year-old Champlin Park senior Treyvon Cahalan has a front row seat. “Seemed like it would be a good class.” Cahalan said. “You get to eat so, it’s always fun.” While eating in class may not be the most challenging task, Cahalan has a 3.5 GPA and a commitment to academics. “Yeah, my mom is actually an elementary school principal,” Cahalan said. “So she’s always on me about my grades and stuff. I’ve always maintained good grades throughout my whole school career.”
And he’s done it all while being a star on the football field. Cahalan is Champlin Park’s starting left tackle. This season he was voted team captain. “A team doesn’t vote you in captain and give you that role without you being somebody that’s pretty special in that way,” said Mike Korton, Champlin Park’s football coach. Football is in Cahalan’s blood, and colleges have taken notice. “I have some Division II offers. So like, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Mankato, Bemidji and then some other colleges too,” Cahalan said. Those offers are coming despite the fact that Cahalan broke his foot in his team’s fourth game, which ended his season. “It was devastating. I remember calling my coach,” Cahalan said. “I was ballin.’ It was the roughest thing I’ve ever gone through in my life.” The injury was a blow to the team, but in the weeks since, Cahalan has taken on a new role as player-coach. “You can see his leadership ability coming out because when you don’t have the helmet on, you’ve got to find other ways to contribute, and he has done that,” Korton said. It’s a testament to his character.
So while Cahalan may not be able to pummel defensive linemen anymore this year, his coach says he still has a bright future. “I see him being successful,” Korton said. Cahalan has yet to decide on a college. As for his injury, he’s expected to make a full recovery.
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