Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Marshall Hodge

Sophomore Marshall Hodge has overcome a great deal of adversity to achieve his goals. Born at only 2 pounds, Marshall's parents were told by his neurologist he would likely never walk. Marshall not only defied the odds but set out on accomplishing academic and athletic goals of the highest caliber, which is why he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Marshall has always been inspired by (either intentionally or by his example) his twin brother Mason. "Mason has always been bigger, stronger, faster, and the first to achieve many milestones in life," says Christina Hodge, Marshall's mother. She goes on to add, "Not being one to give up, Marshall always pushed himself to do what Mason did. He is stubborn and he is a dreamer in the best way. He believes in himself, which has been the key to him overcoming many obstacles in his life."

Following in his brother's footsteps, Marshall found his way into the pool and swimming for Delta Aquatics at the age of 10 years old. Marshall has found a great deal of success in both the 50Free and 100Free style swims, events he says he enjoys because "you are able to go fast." This past December, Marshall won a National Championship in the U.S. Paralympics National Para-Swimming Championships in Arizona in both the 50 Free and 100 Free.

Two weekends ago, Marshall and his teammates made Oswego East History as members of the Oswego Co-op Boys Swim and Dive team by earning a 1st place state finish for the IHSA Combined Championship, something head Coach Deryl Leubner says, "Was an exciting and memorable moment for our entire team and something that we will be able to display forever." As a member of the team, Marshall competes as an AWD swimmer, which are swimmers with a physical or visual disability. Marshall was the individual state championship in the AWD Class B 200yd Freestyle, 3rd in the AWD Class B 50yd Freestyle, and the state champion in the AWD Class B 100yd Freestyle and AWD Class A 100yd Breaststroke making him a three-time state champ and earning All-State Honors in all 4 events.

Whether in the pool or the classroom, Marshall sets his goals high and works tirelessly to achieve them. As a sophomore, Marshall has earned a 3.86 G.P.A. and has his post-secondary sights set on studying Astronomy and Physics, with a goal of possibly working for NASA one day. Marshall's Earth Space and Science teacher, Nancy Vesta, says, "Marshall has a genuine love for science." She goes on to add, "He asks good questions and thinks critically to come up with answers. He works well with his peers and contributes to the groups' work. Specifically, he is fascinated with black holes and would really like to understand that aspect of space."

Marshall has taken his love of all things science and put it into action. Not only is Marshall interested in Astronomy and Physics, but conservation of the Earth is also something of which Marshall has a passion. Marshall spends part of his downtime working at Brookfield Zoo as a King Conservation Science Scholar, helping educate zoo guests about different animals, their environment, and conservation. Beginning in June of 2017, Marshall has generously donated his time, having completed 175 hours of community service hours up to this point, good enough to receive a special service cord of recognition to wear at graduation, despite only being in his second year of high school.

An active member of Oswego East, Marshall offers advice to future Wolves, saying, "Take part in clubs and activities, as they help you socialize and find people you have things in common with." The entire community offers our congratulations to Marshall and his teammates on achieving the highest goal possible and adding to the legacy of the boys swimming program.