Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Max Woods

Sports have routinely served as a bonding moment between parents and their children. For senior Max Woods, golf has allowed him the opportunity to bond with his father, Kurt Woods. What started as a hobby between father and son quickly blossomed into a love for the sport and a competitive drive, and Max's determination to better himself and his teammates are why he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

At the age of 6, while spending time at the Wood’s lake house at Lake Carroll, Max began tagging along with his father when he would play golf. "I think [at first] Max just loved to drive around in the cart with me, but that eventually led to him learning to putt, then chip, and finally learning to drive the ball," says Kurt.

Max's interest in the game, combined with lessons from his dad, allowed him to turn his interest into a passion. "It was evident from the beginning that he was somewhat of a natural player," says Kurt. He goes on to add, "Needless to say, his game has already surpassed mine."

Max tried out for the golf team his freshman year at OE and averaged 53.3 shots per 9 hole by the end of the season. Never one to settle, Max's consistent improvement the past 3 seasons brought his score down almost a full 9 strokes to a 44 average.

Head coach, Jim Vera, has seen how hard Max has worked the past 3 seasons and could not be happier with the leader and golfer he has become. "His maturity is what has impressed me the most," says Vera. He goes on to add, "[Max] has been one of our most consistent golfers the past 2 seasons."

Anyone who has ever picked up a club understands how excruciatingly frustrating golf can be at times. The slightest mechanical break-down can send the best shots far off the mark, something Max says is the most challenging part of the game. To stay focused after poor shots, Max credits his pre-swing ritual as something that, "helps me keep the mental part of the game together."

Coach Vera appreciates Max's sense of calmness, saying, "[Max] is focused and disciplined in practice and serves as a team leader. Any frustration that he experiences on the course, he internalizes and moves on to the next hole, something that is often difficult for golfers at any age."

The team has set a goal for themselves to place in the top 3 in conference, as well as send as many players as possible to the sectional tournament of the IHSA playoffs. Max's score of 86 in last year's regional left him just short of making the sectional tournament, and he has set a personal goal of shooting an 83 or 84 to qualify.

Beyond the course, Max's personality and willingness to be selfless is what helps him stand out from his peers. His mother, Amy Woods, says, "[Max] has proven himself as a positive role model by working as a counselor at the YMCA summer camp, leading a youth group at church camp, and doing missionary work in the Philippines." She goes on to add, "He has a unique way of relating to people, which will bode well for him the future."

That future includes majoring in Entertainment Sports Marketing and hopefully attending college somewhere in Colorado where Max can spend his leisure time enjoying outdoor sports. His freshman Modern World History teacher, Stephanie Krzeminski, remembers Max as someone who, "always came in with a smile and certainly showed potential to be a great leader." Stephanie goes on to add, "I would wholly expect that with his charisma, talent, and drive that he would make a fantastic sports marketer."

As a senior, Max walks the delicate balance of thinking about his future but remaining in the present. As he reflects on his first 3 years at OE, he offers advice to new and future Wolves, saying, "Get involved by joining a club or sport. You will meet a ton of new people and have the opportunity to make new friends." As Max continues to improve his own game and support his teammates, the OE golf team is hopeful new opportunities will present themselves from their hard work and dedication to the sport, helping them reach their personal and team goals for the season.