Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Rob Vieira

Bowling was a sport senior Rob Vieira began casually, as most young people do. After time spent at the lanes with friend Nick Panozzo, Rob and he decided to try out for the freshmen team at OE. What began as somewhat of a hobby blossomed into a passion for Rob, and by the end of his freshman year, he was even brought up to bowl in some varsity matches. After losing 8 seniors last year, the bowling team has needed leadership and talent to step up, both of which Rob has done more than his fair share of, which is why he is this week’s Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Rob’s analytical mind has contributed to him becoming one of the top bowlers on the team and in the SPC, and the relationship between analytics and bowling is what helped Rob grow his passion for the sport. “One of the things I like most about bowling is it is kind of a hidden world, where it is everybody vs. the pins, not necessarily vs. each other,” says Rob. He goes on to say, “Everyone supports each other and is friendly. I enjoy the mental aspect and intensity of the sport and overcoming the mental challenges bowling brings.”

Rob’s intensity in everything he dives into was forged long before he started bowling for OE. Dawn and Rob Vieira, Rob’s parents, believe his participation in sports has helped create his healthy competitive side. “Robert has always been a very hard worker in both school and sports,” says Dawn and Rob. They go on to say, “He has played travel basketball and baseball since he was very young. He had to work incredibly hard to make those teams and be successful, and experienced both successes and failures along the way that he used both to motivate himself and become a better person.”

The obstacles have motivated Rob to put his best foot forward in whatever he does. The shortened Covid season his sophomore year meant no varsity Saturdays and cancellation of the state series, and during his junior year, the team finished 6th in the conference and was eliminated in the sectional tournament. Expectations around the league were not high for the Wolves coming into the season but they motivated Rob to improve his game. “I knew after we were eliminated last season that I had another year left, so I was constantly playing in leagues either once or twice a league and practicing on my own. I even got a job at Parkside lanes so I could bowl pretty much whenever I wanted,” says Rob.

That hard work has been noticeable both in Rob’s play and leadership as he was elected as a second-year captain. Despite losing several upperclassmen, the team captured 3rd place in the conference, the highest finish in the past 4 seasons. Although the team was eliminated in regionals, Rob was able to advance as an individual in both, placing 5th as an individual and earning a spot at the state series, which is taking place today and tomorrow.

Throughout the season, Rob was able to improve his score to a 206 average, as well as notch several personal wins and placements such as 6th place in the Mid-States Tournament, 5th place in the Kennerly Foundation, winning the Oregon Hawk Classic Tournament, and earning 2nd place SPC All-Conference. Rob’s 6-game total in the sectional tournament was 1340, good for a 223 average and 5th overall as an individual.

Rob’s head baseball coach, Brian Schaeffer, has seen Rob’s competitiveness and drive to succeed in both baseball and academics, saying, “Rob is intuitive and thoughtful and will excel in finance and business. He is passionate about what he studies and driven to excel in the classroom as well as on the field.”

Rob’s success on the lanes and in the field is only outmatched by his academics. Rob has earned a 4.3 G.P.A., despite enrolling in rigorous courses such as AP Physics C and AP Calculus BC. Although he is undecided about where he will go to college in the fall, he intends to go to a Big Ten University and major in Finance and Business.

Former head baseball coach and Rob’s former Economic teacher, Matt Engelhardt, has had the opportunity to get to know Rob as both a student and athlete and believes Rob’s future is nothing but bright. “Rob can apply both creative and critical thinking logically,” says Matt. He goes on to say, “He’s naturally inquisitive and has an outgoing personality that allows him to ask questions and share opinions which makes his experience (and those around him) far more meaningful. Rob will be able to communicate and relate to consumers while also logically applying needed skills that accomplish the task at hand.”

Dawn and Rob also believe their son will be successful in the business world, saying, “Rob has always loved numbers. He has excelled in his math courses over the years and also enjoys applying math to real-world situations. This, along with his people skills, will really help him excel in the field.”

Rob is currently working towards making day 2 of the state series as an individual, and there is no doubt he has done everything he can to put himself in a position to achieve his goals. For future Wolves looking for success in both academics and athletics, Rob says, “There should be a value placed on time management that allows you to balance your social life, academics, athletics, and personal enjoyment. Getting your work done will be the key to success.” If Rob’s success, both this year and beyond, hinges on getting the work done, the future looks as bright as possible.