Chapman has seen quite the influx of superb athletes, and freshman Mikele Colasurdo is no exception.  He has quickly risen through the ranks becoming a varsity-level quarterback and garnering playing time for a very loaded varsity basketball team.  

He has earned the approval from his peers as well. His basketball and football teammate sophomore Brandon Adams chimed in on his work ethic.

“He always works hard in practice,” Adams said.  “When he gets in the game he is always giving good effort.”  

As a freshman, Adams was asked to start for the varsity football team and delivered tremendously, quickly stamping his spot on the varsity level. Colasurdo is looking to do the same in both basketball and football.  

One person that is also impressed with how Mikele improved in his first football season was state champion head coach Mark Hodge.

“He improved in his over fundamental performance,” Hodge said. “His feet improved and he cleaned up his throwing motion.  He is beginning to grasp hold of the concepts and reads and performed very well as the season progressed.”  

Mikele came to practice everyday looking to improve despite being a backup to junior Colton Bailey.  Colasurdo himself provided insight on being the backup to one of the best quarterbacks in the state.

“One of his best qualities is his leadership,” Colasurdo said.  

He also said that he has learned a lot about being a leader from Bailey.  After next season, however, Colasurdo will likely go from a backup to a full-fledged starter. Playing under the shadow of the best quarterback in Chapman history must sound very intimidating to someone that young, but Colasurdo was very cool headed towards the situation.

“When it’s my turn I am going to step up,”  Colasurdo said.  “Any team needs to have a next man up mentality and it’s no different for us.”  

You can catch Colasurdo and the boys varsity basketball team Friday night at home against Woodruff.