By Blake Chadwick

As young athletes, most kids dream of playing a key part in winning a state championship during their senior year in high school. For Chapman senior wide receiver/defensive back Ian Suther, it feels like it was just yesterday when he started playing tackle football in third grade. 

Coming off a year where he made the honorable mention special team as a returner, the senior put up 321 receiving yards, 340 rushing yards, 44 tackles, three forced fumbles, 163 return yards, and seven touchdowns. 

With his success in 2022, Suther had no chance of slowing down until adversity hit and he sustained a hip flexor injury during track in the spring. Since then, most of his workouts have been geared toward getting healthy for football season. Chapman finished the 2022 season with a 3-6 record, so in order to get back to their winning ways, the Irish have been locked in during offseason workouts. 

“Team workouts are just as fast and hard as during the school year,” Suther said. “Our team doesn’t waste our summer; we get all our plays and defense installed.”

Suther, a three-year starter and the superintendent’s son, is Irish through and through. He has a part of all the highs and lows, and has no intention of being a part of any more lows.  

“My expectations are a winning season, so I might as well leave it all out there,” Suther said.