Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Sam Behnke

The boys' volleyball program has seen a rapid turnaround the past two seasons in regards to their success on the court. Last season's 20-15 record was the second varsity winning season in program history, and this year has only built on that success. Senior leadership and camaraderie are the main reasons why this team has changed the future of the program, and senior setter Sam Behnke is one of those leaders which is why he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Sam appeared as a student-athlete of the week in the fall for the golf program as one of its top contributors. Golf and volleyball are sports that do not necessarily have a lot in common, something Sam enjoys about playing both. "Volleyball has constant action within a game with very few dull moments, as opposed to golf where there is a great deal of downtime," says Sam.

The analytical and methodical approach Sam uses to excel in golf serves him well even in the much faster-paced game of volleyball. As a golfer, Sam has also taken to criticism and advice on improving his game, and in volleyball, it is much the same. "Sam is a quieter guy in practice but one who leads by example," says Brian Zerfas, head volleyball coach. Brian goes on to say, "[Sam] takes an immense amount of feedback from his teammates and coaching staff and does all he can to improve."

Sam's individual accolades this season speak to his selfless nature. He is the school record holder for both assists in a match and a season and provides his teammates with the best opportunities possible to be successful. This team first mentality is one of the reasons the program has found such a higher level of success. "We had great athletes in our program in prior years, but the guys on our varsity squads the last few years have been more bought in to the process," says Brian. He goes on to add, "We have also been very blessed to have some extremely talented groups."

With graduation on Saturday, Sam has completed his educational requirements to graduate near the top of his class at Oswego East. The past four years have helped mold him into the person he is today. "I think the greatest change I have seen in Sam is his confidence and independence," says his father, Scott Behnke. He goes on to add, "We could not have had a better experience with Oswego East, with both teachers and coaches helping to develop that. I am amazed at his ability to connect and communicate with others."

Sam looks back on his four years with a great deal of fondness, saying, "The experiences I've had have helped shape me into the person I am today, which is more confident and outgoing." As to why OE was such a special place, Sam says, "[Oswego East] is such a big school with diverse people who are all pretty nice and you can talk to on a daily basis."

Sam will be the third of the Behnke family to graduate from Oswego East as brothers Zach (class of 2014) and Max (class of 2016) each attending Carthage, and sister Ellie set to become a junior this fall. Each has participated in multiple clubs, sports, and excelled in the classroom. The family bond is strong enough that brothers Zach and Max both attended Carthage College in Wisconsin to play on the golf team, and Sam will be the third family member to do the same this fall. Sam plans on majoring in marketing and management at Carthage. His Business teacher, department chair Dave Carlisle, believes what will make Sam successful goes beyond intelligence, saying, “[Sam] is very smart-but so are many others. What stand out are his personality and people skills-the two skill sets most overlooked and the two most critical to being productive. Sam has that X-factor ability to engage anyone and everyone.”

The team has earned a first-round playoff bye and is looking at a possible match-up of SPC opponent Minooka in round 2. East is hopeful it can capture its first regional championship in school history, adding on to an already historic season and catapulting the program into another level of success. Set to graduate tomorrow, Sam offers this advice for those who are just beginning their journey as freshman Wolves in the fall, saying, "Have fun and do not let one thing or the stress of one class bring down your year or day, and always keep a positive mindset and say happy." We wish Sam and all of our senior graduates the very best of luck in the future and are hopeful the boys' volleyball team will be able to leave an exclamation point on an already historic season.